Synthesis and characterization of silver/talc nanocomposites using the wet chemical reduction method

Kamyar Shameli¹, Mansor Bin Ahmad¹, Wan Zin Wan Yunus¹, Nor Azowa Ibrahim¹, Majid Darroudi^2
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, ²Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: In this study, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were synthesized using the wet chemical reduction method on the external surface layer of talc mineral as a solid support. Silver nitrate and sodium borohydride were used as the silver precursor and reducing agent in talc. The talc was suspended in aqueous AgNO₃ solution. After the absorption of Ag⁺ on the surface, the ions were reduced with NaBH₄. The interlamellar space limits were without many changes (d_s = 9.34–9.19 A^º); therefore, Ag-NPs formed on the exterior surface of talc, with d_ave = 7.60–13.11 nm in diameter. The properties of Ag/talc nanocomposites (Ag/talc-NCs) and the diameters of the Ag-NPs prepared in this way depended on the primary AgNO₃ concentration. The prepared Ag-NPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared. These Ag/talc-NCs may have potential applications in the chemical and biological industries.

Keywords: nanocomposites, silver nanoparticles, talc, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy