Size- and shape-controlled synthesis of Ag nanomaterials via proton beam irradiation

We present a facile one-pot synthetic route for the production of silver nanocrystals via a simple proton beam irradiation process at room temperature. Size- and shape-controlled silver nanostructures were prepared in an aqueous phase-based solution without the addition of any harsh reductants just by changing the stabilizer and by controlling the molar concentration ratios of surfactants to metal precursors. We observed that the size of the resulting Ag nanocrystals was easily varied by changing the stabilizer from hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide to sodium dodecyl sulfate. We also found that the size of the prepared silver nanocrystals decreased as the molar ratio of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide to silver ions was increased.