Synthesis of Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles

Well-dispersed silver nanoparticles were prepared by chemical reduction method, with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), PVP as dispersant. The mechanisms of PVP in the preparation process were discussed though the optical characters of the reaction system. It is indicated that PVP accelerated the reaction between silver ions and glucose, because it stabilized H+. PVP compounded with Ag and protected the Ag particles from growing and agglomerating. Ag particles with small size and good dispersibility were obtained from 45 of [PVP]: [AgNO₃] and 15,000 of PVP molecular weight.