Reduction of silver nanoparticles in DMF.: Formation of monolayers and stable colloids

We explore in this article the reduction of Ag+ ions by N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), both in the presence and in the absence of a stabilizing agent. The reduction can lead to the formation of either thin films of silver nanoparticles electrostatically attached onto glass surfaces, or stable dispersions of silver nanoparticles if the silane coupling agent 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) is present. The different parameters affecting the reduction process are discussed, and the reducing ability of DMF is compared with that of ethanol, which is often used for the production of catalytically active metal colloids.