Synthesis of silver chromate nanoparticles: Parameter optimization using Taguchi design

The Taguchi method of experimental design is very well suited to improving the production process of synthetic nanoparticles. The current application of the Taguchi method was successful in optimizing the experimental parameters affect on synthesis procedure of silver chromate nanoparticles. Ultrafine silver chromate particles were synthesied by precipitation method using addition of silver ion solution to the chromate reagent. The effect of reaction conditions such as: silver and chromate concentrations, flow rate of reagent addition and temperature on the particle size of synthesized silver chromate particles were investigated. The effect of these factors on the diameter of silver chromate particles were quantitavely evaluated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that silver chromate particles can be synthesized by controlling silver concentration, flow rate and temperature. Finally, the optimum conditions for synthesis of silver chromate particles by this simple and fast method were proposed. The results of ANOVA showed that 0.001 mol/l silver ion concentration, 40 ml/min flow rate for addition of silver reagent to the chromate solution and 0°C temperature are optimum conditions for producing silver chromate particles with 100 ± 33 nm width. On the other hand, the Ag₂CrO₄ nano-superstructures were synthesized by electrosynthesis method. The results showed that Ag₂CrO₄ nanoparticles synthesized by this method have 75 nm average diameter.