Synthesis of Ag Particles Using an Ion-Exchange Polymer with Phosphonic Acid Groups

Ion-exchange polymers find wide applications in fuel cells, electro-organic synthesis, catalysis and nanoparticles synthesis. We report on the use of aqueous solutions of an low molecular weight ion-exchange polymer containing phosphonic acid groups; the poly(p-acryloylaminobenzylphosphonic acid), for the synthesis of Ag particles at room temperature without using additional protective reagent. The process of formation of the Ag particles using the ion-exchange polymer start as an initial complexation of polymer to Ag+, followed by the very slow reduction of the metal ions to the Ag metallic. Our results indicate that this ion-exchange polymer is capable of protect the Ag particles in the solution, permitting us to obtain large-size cubes and rectangular prisms in colloidal solutions which are stable for several months.