Supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of silver nanoparticles, composites, and their characterizations

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver nanoparticles doped activated carbon (AC-Ag) composite materials were synthesized by hydrothermal processes in supercritical water conditions (29 MPa and 400 °C) using batch reactor. We studied the influence of the precursor solution concentration, reaction temperature under the hydrothermal conditions, and synthesis time on the properties of synthesized materials. The properties of plain AgNPs and AC-Ag composite materials synthesized in supercritical water, including crystallinity, particle size, and molecular interactions between AC and Ag were investigated, comprehensively. Compared to the plain AgNPs, the activated carbon-supported Ag nanocomposite was synthesized faster due to the active functional groups of activated carbon. Furthermore, the FTIR results reveal that the silver nanoparticles are attached to the activated carbon surface in the presence of oxygen bonded carbonyl and carboxyl groups. The nano-sized metal silver particles were observed on the AC surface when analyzed by TEM and XRD. All results imply that the supercritical water condition allows the formation of silver particles less than 100 nm either in the form of plain particles or deposited on the activated carbon surface using the silver acetate precursor solution. This environmentally benign supercritical hydrothermal process can replace the conventional method and become a novel synthesis method for preparing various new materials.