First Example of Monomeric Hydrosilane Stabilized Redispersible Silver Nanoparticles

The direct production of silver nanoparticles in organic media is achieved via a simple one pot protocol using long chain hydrosilanes both as reducing and stabilizing agents. This synthetic strategy leads to highly efficient production of stable yet reactive silver nanoparticles. This synthesis is unique in terms of stabilization mechanism, where a very weak passivation is used to produce dispersible but highly active nanoparticles. The effect of hydrosilane alkyl chain length on the growth mechanism, reactivity, dispersibility and stability of the nanoparticles are also investigated.