Technical Specifications:
- Material: Silver Nanopowder (Ag)
- Purity: 99.99% or higher
- Particle Size: 20 nm (nanometers)
- Surface Coating: ~0.2% Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
- Shape: Spherical or nearly spherical nanoparticles
- Density: Approximately 10.49 g/cm³
- Melting Point: Approximately 961.8°C (1,763°F)
- Boiling Point: 2,162°C (3,924°F)
Chemical Composition:
- Silver (Ag): ~99.99%
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP): ~0.2% (surface stabilizer)
Applications:
1. Electronics and Conductive Ink:
- Silver nanopowder is widely used in the manufacture of electronic components such as conductive inks, printed circuits, and flexible electronics. Due to its high electrical conductivity, silver nanoparticles are ideal for creating fine lines in printed electronics.
- It is used in the development of electromagnetic shielding, antenna materials, and RFID tags where high conductivity and flexibility are required.
2. Catalysis:
- Silver nanoparticles exhibit significant catalytic properties, particularly in oxidation and reduction reactions. The high surface area of the nanoparticles, combined with the PVP coating, enhances their effectiveness as a catalyst in chemical reactions such as hydrogenation and environmental catalysis (e.g., NOx reduction).
- It is utilized in green chemistry applications due to its low toxicity and high activity in certain reactions.
3. Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Applications:
- Silver nanoparticles are well-known for their antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The PVP coating prevents the particles from aggregating and enhances their biocidal activity, making them ideal for use in medical devices, wound dressings, personal care products, and water purification systems.
- They are used in sanitizing products, coatings, and textiles where long-lasting antimicrobial protection is needed.
4. Sensors and Diagnostics:
- Due to their high surface area and chemical reactivity, silver nanoparticles are used in biosensors, chemical sensors, and diagnostic assays. Their high sensitivity to biological markers and reactivity to specific compounds makes them ideal for use in point-of-care diagnostics and disease detection.
- In biosensing applications, silver nanoparticles are used for the detection of DNA, proteins, and enzymes.
5. Energy Storage and Conversion:
- Silver nanopowder is increasingly being used in the energy storage and conversion sectors, including supercapacitors, batteries, and fuel cells. The material’s high conductivity and large surface area allow for improved charge storage and energy efficiency in energy storage devices.
- It is used in the development of high-performance electrodes for supercapacitors and solar cells to improve energy conversion efficiency.
6. Optical and Plasmonic Applications:
- Silver nanoparticles exhibit unique plasmonic properties, which makes them useful in optical and spectroscopic applications. They are used in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), optical coatings, and nano-optics due to their ability to enhance light-matter interactions at the nanometer scale.
- These nanoparticles are utilized in sensing, imaging, and biosensing applications where enhanced optical properties are required.
7. Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy:
- Silver nanoparticles are studied for their photothermal and photodynamic therapeutic potential, particularly in cancer treatment. When exposed to light, they can convert absorbed energy into heat, allowing them to target and treat cancerous cells through hyperthermic therapy.
- Their high absorption efficiency in the visible and near-infrared regions makes them ideal for use in nanomedicine for cancer diagnostics and treatment.
8. Coatings and Functionalized Materials:
- Silver nanoparticles are also used in functional coatings and films. The PVP coating stabilizes the nanoparticles, ensuring that they remain well-dispersed in a variety of solvents and mediums. These functionalized silver coatings are used in electronics, sensors, protective coatings, and antimicrobial surfaces.
- They are also used in paint and coatings that provide antibacterial and electromagnetic shielding properties.
9. Textiles and Fabrics:
- The antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles make them highly useful in textiles. The nanoparticles are incorporated into fabrics to impart antimicrobial resistance, making them ideal for medical clothing, sportswear, and sheets.
- The material is also used in stain-resistant fabrics and odor-control fabrics due to its odor-neutralizing properties.
10. Research and Development:
- Silver nanoparticles are widely used in research across various fields such as material science, chemistry, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. Their ability to be functionalized with various surface groups (such as PVP) makes them versatile for a variety of custom applications.
- They are often used to develop new nanomaterials, drug delivery systems, and bioengineering technologies.
Summary:
Silver Nanopowder (Ag, 99.99%, 20nm, w/~0.2% PVP) is a high-performance material with excellent electrical conductivity, catalytic properties, antimicrobial activity, and plasmonic features. The fine nanoparticle size (20nm) and PVP surface coating ensure stability, dispersibility, and enhanced functionality across a wide range of applications including electronics, energy storage, catalysis, biomedical devices, sensing, and coatings. Its use in nanomedicine, water purification, flexible electronics, and photothermal therapies highlights its versatility and importance in next-generation technologies.
