Synthesis and Characterization of Silver/Clay Nanocomposites by Chemical Reduction Method

Problem statement: Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have been synthesized by using chemical reduction method into the interlayer space of a Montmorillonite (MMT) as a solid support which is used to antibacterial application and polymer nanocomposites for fabrication of medical devices. Approach: AgNO₃ and NaBH₄ were used as a silver precursor and reducing agent, respectively. The properties of Ag/MMT nanocomposites were studied as a function of the AgNO₃ concentration. The crystalline structure, d-spacing of interlayer of MMT, the size distributions and surface plasmon resonance of synthesized Ag-NPs were characterized using Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectroscopy. Results: The results obtained from UV-vis spectroscopy of synthesized Ag-NPs showed that the intensity of the maximum wavelength of the plasmon peaks were increased with the increasing in the AgNO₃ concentration. The obtained information from UV-vis spectra of Ag-NPs was in an excellent agreement with the obtained microstructures studies performed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and their size distributions. The prepared Ag/MMT nanocomposites are very stable over a long period of time in aqueous solution. Conclusion: The synthesized Ag/MMT nanocomposites are very stable in aqueous solution over a long period of time without any sign of precipitation. Silver nanoparticles in MMT suspension could be suitable to use antibacterial applications, since MMT is viewed as ecologically and environmentally inert material and used for biological application such as cosmetics and pharmaceutical usage.