Synthetic Routes for the Preparation of Silver Nanoparticles: A Mechanistic Perspective

Abstract

In this chapter, we revise some of the most relevant and widely used synthetic routes available for the preparation of metallic silver nanoparticles. Particular emphasis has been focused in the rationale involved in the formation of the nanostructures, from the early metallic silver atoms formation, passing by atoms nucleation and concluding in the growth of silver nanostructures. We hope the reader will find in this chapter a valuable tool to better understand the relevance of the experimental conditions in the resulting silver nanoparticle size, shape and overall properties.