title: Characterization of water/AOT/benzene microemulsions during photoreduction to produce silver particles.
abstract: Colloidal dispersions of silver (Ag) particles were prepared by the photoreduction of silver perchlorate (AgClO(4)) in water/AOT/benzene water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions consisting of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT), water and benzene. Formation mechanisms of Ag particles prepared in the presence of benzoin by photoreduction from Ag(+)-containing w/o microemulsions were investigated by UV-vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. By a combination of TEM and EXAFS results, Ag particles show a metallic nature after the photoreduction and the diameter of Ag particles ranges between 5 and 30 nm. In situ time-resolved SAXS measurements show that the integrated rate equation can be applied in the reduction process of Ag(+) ions to Ag(0) atoms, and the autocatalytic Ag particle growth proceeds in the association process of Ag(0) atoms during the photoreduction of Ag(+)-containing w/o microemulsions. The nanometer-sized water droplets microemulsified by AOT in benzene continuous-phase regulated the size of Ag particles, and the size and shape of water droplets were retained during the Ag particle formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science and Clothing Environment, Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women's University, Nara 630-8506, Japan. harada@cc.nara-wu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saijo
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ito