Rapid synthesis of Ag nanoparticles and Ag@SiO2 core–shells

Abstract Ag nanoparticles were synthesized using microwave irradiation. Oleylamine was used as a stabilizer and capping agent, dimethylformamide as a reducing agent, and deionized water as a solvent. The subsequent use of functionalized Ag nanoparticles for microwave irradiation obtained Ag@SiO 2 core–shell nanoparticles. UV–Vis spectroscopy shows a characteristic plasmon peak at 407 nm and 430 nm for Ag nanoparticles and Ag@SiO 2 core–shells. Transmission electron microscope images show that Ag nanoparticles have an average size of 15 nm. It is also shown that the core–shell structure was formed with an average size of 100 nm for Ag core and 25 nm SiO 2 shell thickness.