Navigating Arc Discharge and Beyond: Emerging Strategies and Applications in Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis

Abstract Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have solidified their position as essential nanomaterials in a wide range of industries, including electronics, healthcare, environmental remediation, and catalysis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse methods used to synthesize AgNPs, with particular emphasis on arc discharge and hybrid approaches that have recently emerged to address scalability and customization challenges. We begin by exploring traditional physical and chemical techniques—such as electrochemical reduction, chemical reduction, and photochemical methods—underscoring their advantages and limitations. We then delve into the growing interest in biological and green synthesis methods, particularly those involving algae, fungi, and bacteria, which offer safer and more sustainable pathways for AgNP fabrication. Moreover, this review explains how hybrid processes, combining arc discharge with chemical or biological methods, can further tailor AgNP properties. The mechanisms of nanoparticle formation, alongside the roles of surfactants and capping agents, are also discussed. Key applications are surveyed, including their growing use in electronics, photocatalysis, biomedicine, and food packaging. Finally, critical safety and regulatory considerations are presented, highlighting the importance of rigorous toxicity assessments to ensure environmental and public health. Collectively, this survey underscores how arc discharge and other emerging synthesis routes are shaping the next generation of AgNPs, moving toward a paradigm of safe, robust, and application-oriented nanomaterials.