In situ self-assembly of silver nanoparticles during thermal decomposition of silver oleate and silver elaidate
摘要
In the present work, structural and morphological changes occurring during thermal decomposition of two isomers, silver oleate and silver elaidate (C17H33COOAg), were studied. It was found that thermal decomposition of both isomers results in the formation of ordered self-assembled nanostructures, which form in situ during the process. For investigating the changes occurring upon heating of silver oleate and silver elaidate, transmission electron microscopy and time-resolved small-angle and wide-angle X-ray diffraction were employed. It was found that, upon heating, the salts first experience transitions into various liquid crystal states and then into an isotropic liquid. The onset temperature of thermal decomposition of silver oleate and silver elaidate was found to be 200 °C and 230 °C, respectively. The products of thermal decomposition, the self-assembled structures, were composed of ordered silver nanoparticles.