One step synthesis of silver nanorods by autoreduction of aqueous silver ions with hydroxyapatite: An inorganic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposite.

In this report, a novel method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles on the surface of hydroxyapatite is described. Hydroxyapatite crystals are synthesized from acid mineralized solution, a byproduct of bone glue industries, by a simple chemical precipitation method, which results in the formation of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals. The reduction of silver ions occurs by the electron transfer from the hydroxyl groups on the surface of hydroxyapatite. This results in the formation of silver nanorods and needle shaped nanoparticles that are bound on the surface of hydroxyapatite, and the observed silver nanocrystals show anisotropic structure. Thus, hydroxyapatite crystals can be used as a new class of inorganic scaffolds for the synthesis of nanomaterials with implications in designing inorganic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites for different applications.

Solvent-adaptable silver nanoparticles.

A simple and efficient way of obtaining silver nanoparticles that are dispersible both in organic and in aqueous solvents using a single capping agent is described. The silver nanoparticles are initially prepared in water in the presence of aerosol OT [sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)-sulfosuccinate, AOT]. Thereafter, transfer of the AOT-capped silver nanoparticles to an organic phase is induced by the addition of a small amount of orthophosphoric acid during shaking of the biphasic mixture. The AOT-stabilized silver nanoparticles could be separated out from the organic phase in the form of a powder. The hydrophobic nanoparticles thus prepared are stable and are readily resuspended in a variety of other polar (including water) and nonpolar solvents without further surface treatment. The amphiphatic nature of the silver surface is brought about by a small orientational change in the AOT monolayer on the silver surface in response to the polarity of the solvent.