Radiation formation of colloidal silver particles in aqueous systems.

Abstract This paper reports on the formation of silver nanoparticles initiated by gamma and UV radiation in various aqueous solutions. Inorganic precursors were used for radiation and/or photochemical reduction of Ag + ions to a metallic form. The influence of various parameters on the nucleation and formation of colloid particles was studied. Attention was also focused on the composition of the irradiated solution. Aliphatic alcohols were used as scavengers of OH radicals and other oxidizing species. The influence of the stabilizers on the formation and stability of the nanoparticles was studied.