Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Chemical Reduction Method

Silver nanoparticles were prepared by chemical reduction method. Silver nitrate was taken as a metal precursor, chondroitin sulfate as a stabilizing agent, and glucose as a reducing agent. The formation of Ag nanoparticles was monitored using ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of elemental Ag signal, with no peaks of other impurities detected. The ultraviolet-visible spectra of colloidal solutions of Ag nanoparticles show that the chondroitin sulfate concentration has a substantial influence on the reaction rate of Ag nanoparticle formation, as well as on the size of the nanoparticles. The position and shape of plasmonic absorption spectra of Ag nanoparticles also depend on the duration of the synthesis reaction. Functional groups identified with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirm the formation of high-purity Ag nanoparticles.