Synthesis of Ag nanoparticles by cathode glow discharge electrolysis using sacrificial Ag foil of anode.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were prepared in Na₂SO₄ solution with adding ethanol via cathode glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE) plasma using sacrificial anode as a source of Ag⁺ ions, in which Ag foil and Pt needle were served as anode and cathode, respectively. The physical characteristic of CGDE was investigated by current-voltage curve and oscilloscope. Ag NPs were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis, SEM/EDX, TEM and XPS. The preparation mechanism was discussed. The results showed that at 520–620 V discharge, the high energetic electrons impact water at plasma-liquid interface to form many active species, i.e., H•, O•, OH•, e_aq^–, OH^– and H₂O₂. Adding 15 mL ethanol into the 150 mL electrolyte can trap oxidizing agent OH• and suppress producing AgOH/Ag₂O. High purity Ag NPs are fabricated via the reduction of Ag⁺ ions by e_aq^– and H• in plasma cathode. Compared with other plasma-liquid interface technique, CGDE offers a simple, fast, high effective and environment friendly method for the synthesis of Ag NPs. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were prepared in Na₂SO₄ solution with adding ethanol via cathode glow discharge electrolysis plasma using sacrificial anode as a source of Ag⁺ ions, in which Ag foil and Pt needle were served as anode and cathode, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]