Polyol synthesis of silver nanopolyhedrons and transmittance property

ABSTRACT

In this article, we report a robust method for the facile synthesis of small silver nanopolyhedrons (Ag NPs) with edge lengths controlled in the range of 50–120 nm using a facile, one-pot, and totally green method. The keys to the success of this synthesis is that the rapid nucleation of Ag atoms was facilitated through the addition of a trace amount of zinc as the additive or promoter which will react with Ag⁺ through a galvanic replacement reaction. By modifying the amount of additive, we were able to optimize the reduction kinetics and effectively direct the Ag atom to grow. As a result of the understanding gained during the course of this study, we have proposed the mechanism for the rapid synthesis of the Ag NPs and this ideology may provide a useful guide for the future synthesis of Au or other metal nanoparticles. Based on the Ag NPs, we have built the film-coupled colloidal nanoantennas with controlled-transmittance surfaces through the above method. The transmittance property of the metamaterial absorber is very sensitive to the thickness of the polyelectrolyte molecular spacer layers, which making it ideal absorptivity of large surface areas in the infrared and visible range.

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC no. 21471103, 21103008, 51278026, 51578038, 51208021), the Scientific Research Base Development Program of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, Open Laboratory Research Fund Program of department of Chemistry of CNU, and Open Research Fund Program of Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment (Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture), Ministry of Education.