Advanced Pore Structure Analysis of Silver Nanoparticles via Electron Microscopy: Implications for Functional Optimization

¹ Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura - 140417, Punjab, India,
² Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh - 174103 India
³ Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology, GLA University, Mathura - 281406.
⁴ Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India,
⁵ Uttaranchal University, Dehradun - 248007, India
⁶ Department of Mechanical, GRIET, Bachupally, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
⁷ Department of Civil Engineering, University Research Department, Bahra University, Waknaghat, Distt. Solan, HP-173234, India.
⁸ University School of Civil Engineering, Research & Incubation Centre, Rayat Bahra University, Chandigarh-Ropar NH 205, Greater Mohali, Punjab, 140103, India
⁹ Department of Structurals Techniques engineering, College of technical engineering, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq

Corresponding author: preetjot.singh.orp@chitkara.edu.in

Abstract

In this paper, quantitative analysis of the pore structure of AgNPs is presented by combined analysis of advanced electron microscopy techniques. The synchrotron-based analysis of silver nanoparticles with 18-30 nm in size confirmed detailed information about the internal structure of their porous nature of the nanoparticles and their surface characteristics. Although the pore volume of AgNPs changed from 28 nm³ to 40 nm³, pore size ranged between 3 nm to 10 nm. Specific pore volume values referring to AgNP mass were within 10–26 nm 2 /g depending on nanoparticle size. Furthermore, the surface area values varied between 25 m²/g and 50 m²/g evidencing the influence of nanoparticle size on internal as well as exterior surface area. Taken together, the findings suggest a direct dependency of size dependent nanoparticle on the pore structure and surface area of the support material: Diameter of AgNP has direct impact on porosity of the samples. These findings are useful for optimizing internal porosity and surface properties of AgNPs for particular uses such as catalysis, drug delivery, and sensing. This vast study provides a framework for synthesising AgNPs with any types of pore structures to improve nanotechnology applications through careful tailoring of materials.