Effect of Acidic and Basic Conditions on the Plasmon Band of Colloidal Silver

Preparation of colloidal silver nanoparticles has been carried out by salt reduction method and confirmed by the appearance of plasmon band in the visible region. The prepared nanoparticles were subjected to acidic and basic environments. The plasmon band was studied as a function of time under the described conditions and hence used as a stability check of silver nanoparticles in different media. The mechanism of plasmon band disappearance of silver colloids was found to depend strongly on the pH of the medium. Graphical abstract Research highlights Plasmon band of silver nanoparticles formed by citrate reduction method is strongly affected by the acidic and basic environments demonstrating effect of pH on the structure and stability of citrate caped silver nanoparticles. In acidic condition, an accelerated particle growth results only limited by the buffer action of citrate in solution. In the case of base Ag+ ions formation take place which ultimately deposit on the walls of test tube forming a silver mirror.