Reduction of silver nanoparticles in DMF. Formation of monolayers and stable colloids

We explore in this article the reduction of Ag+ ions by N,N-dimethylformami de (DMF), both in the presence and in the absence of a stabilizing agent. T he reduction can lead to the formation of either thin films of silver nanop articles electrostatically attached onto glass surfaces, or stable dispersi ons of silver nanoparticles if the silane coupling agent 3-aminopropyltrime thoxysilane (APS) is present. The different parameters affecting the reduct ion process are discussed, and the reducing ability of DMF is compared with that of ethanol, which is often used for the production of catalytically a ctive metal colloids.