Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Precipitation in Bicontinuous Microemulsions

Silver nanoparticles precipitation was carried out at 70 degrees C in bicontinuous microemulsions stabilized with a mixture of surfactants sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate/sodium dodecyl sulfate (2/1, w/w) containing an aqueous solution of 0.5 M silver nitrate and toluene as organic phase. Various concentrations of aqueous solution of sodium borohydride (precipitating agent) and their dosing times on microemulsions were studied. Regardless of dosing time, higher and medium concentrations of precipitating agent promoted the formation of worm-like nanostructures, while the lowest concentration allowed to obtain amixture of isolated silver nanoparticles (mean diameter approximate to 3 nm) and worm-like nanostructures. Experimental yields much higher than those typical in precipitation of silver nanoparticles in reverse microemulsions were obtained. An explanation for formation of worm-like nanostructures based on the development of local zones inside the microemulsions channels with high particle concentrations was proposed.