Growing small silver particle as redox catalyst

Growing small particles of silver have been observed to be more efficient c atalysts than stable colloidal particles. These growing particles catalyze the borohydride reduction of several organic dyes. The rate of the reductio n catalyzed by growing particles is distinctly faster compared to that of s table and larger silver particles, which are the final products of growing particles. Catalysis is due to efficient particle-mediated electron transfe r from the BH4- ion to the dye. The catalytic activity of the particles dep ends on their size, E-1/2 Of the dye, and the dye-particle interaction. The presence of surfactant influences the catalytic property of the particles by controlling their growth, by inhibiting adsorption of reactants/products onto the particle surface, and by specific dye-surfactant interaction.