Preparation of silver nanoparticles in room temperature ionic liquids

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized in a room temperature ionic liquid via chemical reduction under ambient conditions. X-ray power diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermal analysis and FT-IR were used to characterize the structure of the Ag nanoparticles. The results indicate that the mean diameter of the namoparticles is about 20 nm and the surface of the Ag nanoparticles was modified with the room temperature ionic liquid. So we conclude that the room temperature ionic liquid is not only used as reaction medium but also as stabilizing agent to prevent the silver nanoparticles aggregating. The proposed formation mechanisms of silver nanoparticles are discussed.