A controlling method for AgI nanoparticles preparation using combinatorial surfactants

AgI nanoparticle has been reported to exhibit size-dependent properties. In the paper, we reported the use of combinations of surfactants, such as AOT, SDS, PVP and TWEEN20, to control the AgI synthesis. AgI nanoparticles can be obtained with different sizes. Measured and confirmed by DLS and TEM, the nanoparticles can be massively and evenly prepared with the sizes less than 20nm. The post-processing of extraction for the nanoparticles is relatively simple and environmentally friendly. Further experimental results demonstrate that the stability of the nanoparticles is greatly dependent on the formula of the surfactant compositions. The method presented here is a potential high-throughput technique that could be applied to synthesize many other nanoparticles.