Colloidal silver nanoparticles protected by water-soluble nonionic polymers and "soft" polyacids

Stable silver colloids were prepared by the in situ reduction of silver nit rate AgNO3 in the presence of various protective polymers. Several nonionic polymers and polyacids, and one anionic polyelectrolyte were investigated for their ability to stabilize such silver colloids. UV-vis spectroscopy wa s employed to characterize the colloidally-stable silver samples, and the p article sizes, size distributions, and particle shapes were determined by t ransmission electron microscopy. The interactions among the silver precurso rs and colloids, and the polymeric matrices can have an influence on the na noparticle features, the optical properties, and the long-term colloidal st ability of the colloid dispersions.