Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using a solution plasma process.

In this study, Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a solution plasma process in which a discharge occurred directly in an aqueous environment with various discharge times from 120 to 600 s and discharge voltages from 800 to 1,000 V. The effects of the discharge time and voltage on the size and shape of the AgNPs in the solution plasma process were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and a UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by the HR-TEM and XRD. The transition from spherical nanoparticles to dendritic nanoparticles was observed when the discharge time increased, and it was noted that the aggregation of AgNPs for dendrites was accelerated as the temperature increased due to the plasma in the solution. The average particle size of the AgNPs increased as the discharge time and voltage increased.