Synthesis of silver nano-particles using micro-emulsion technique

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by mixing two micro-emulsion systems – one with precursor (AgNO₃) and one with reducing agent (NaBH₄). Dioctyl sodium sulfonsuccinate – AOT was used as surfactant. We studied parameters as ω – molar ratio of water to surfactant, hydrocarbon (oil) types. The molar ratio of water to surfactant was changed from 2.5 to 5; 7.5 and 10. The used oil types were cyclohexane, iso-octane, and dodecane. XRD, UV-Vis and TEM images were used to elucidate the structure and size of the products. The results showed that, synthesized silver nanoparticles sizes were between 5 – 7 nm, with homogeneously spherical shapes. The silver colloids were used in antibacterial applications. The antibacterial efficiency was very high, above 99% at ~ 4 μg/ml concentration of silver nanoparticles.