The X-ray activated reduction of silver (I) solutions as a method for nanoparticles manufacturing

Purpose: The aim of this work was to determine an effect of X-ray irradiation on activation of silver reduction from water solutions of its salts, resulting in fabrication of nanocrystalline product. Design/methodology/approach: The process and products of the reduction of silver nitrate water solut-ions, containing the additions of other compounds or not, including particle growth inhibitors, irradiated with X-rays of different energy or with a laser beam, were investigated. Findings: It was found that irradiation had significant effect on the initiation of the reduction process and on its rate and proceeding. The radiation dose is not of great importance provided than some its threshold value is exceeded. It was also found that polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), used as growth inhibitor of silver crystallites, exhibits a reducing effect in the studied processes. Research limitations/implications: It is recommended to perform further research aimed at increasing mass yield of irradiation-activated reduction process and at selecting efficient method for deposit separation from the solution at the maintained high refinement of silver particles. Practical implications: The results from this study extend the scope of available methods for preparation of silver nanoparticles by a new one, which is based on process activation by irradiation of the substrates by X-rays. Originality/value: The new method for silver nano-particles fabrication has been successfully tested and its usefulness has been proved. Conditions for conducting the process of silver (I) ions reduction by this method