Synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles by electron irradiation at 5-15 keV energy

Thin coatings (～10?μm) made from a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and HAuCl(4) or PVA and AgNO(3) on quartz plates were irradiated with 5-15?keV electrons, at room temperature. The electron energy was varied from coating to coating in the range of 5-15?keV, but electron fluence was kept constant at ～10(15)?e?cm(-2). Samples were characterized by the UV-vis, XRD, SEM and TEM techniques. The plasmon absorption peaks at ～511 and ～442?nm confirmed the formation of gold and silver nanoparticles in the respective electron-irradiated coatings. The XRD, SEM and TEM measurements reveal that the average size of the particles could be tailored in the range of 130-50?nm for gold and from 150-40?nm for silver by varying the electron energy in the range of 5-15?keV. These particles of gold and silver embedded in the polymer could also be separated by dissolving the coatings in distilled water.