Interface Reaction for the Self-Assembly of Silver Nanocrystals under Microwave-Assisted Solvothermal Conditions

We propose a one-step interface reaction for the direct synthesis of hexagonally arranged spherical silver nanoparticles under microwave-assisted solvothermal conditions without the requirement of the presynthesis of uniform silver nanoparticles or special precursors and the technique of size-selective precipitation. The ratio between ethylene glycol and dodecylthiol shows its effect on the nucleation and growth of silver and thus the morphology and arrangement of the obtained nanoparticles. At a low volume ratio, nanoparticles with a rectangular shape arranged in orthogonal arrays could be observed. This simple method has its generality, and by easily substituting thiourea aqueous solution for ethylene glycol, silver sulfide superlattices of nanoparticles could be synthesized.