UV-Assisted Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Poly(Acrylic Acid) for Colorimetric Ammonia Sensing

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles was successfully synthesized by the exposure of silver nitrate solution to the high intensity ultraviolet source with an addition of poly (acrylic acid, sodium salt), (PAA) as the stabilizing agent. The silver nanoparticles were displayed a dark blue color which a maximum absorbance at 784 nm. The average size and surface charges of PAA stabilized silver nanoparticles at pH5 were 81.62 nm and-14.32 mV, respectively. Upon the addition of ammonia solution, the dark blue color of silver nanoparticles were changed to light green and yellow. The detection of ammonia concentration using PAA stabilized silver nanoparticles has been responded to 1-80 ppm. The PAA stabilized silver nanoparticles, blue solution are promising to be an alternative method for colorimetric detection of ammonia in environmental or industrial section.