Self-assembly and branching of sucrose stabilized silver nanoparticles by microwave assisted synthesis: from nanoparticles to branched nanowires structures

Silver nanostructures were synthesized under microwave irradiation from a solution of silver nitrate and sucrose, with any other reducing or capping agent. The size and morphology of nanostructures changed continuously during the irradiation time. The obtained nanostructures at the different irradiation time were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and selected area diffraction pattern. It was evidenced that initially Ag nanoparticles were formed, which, as reaction time elapsed, self-assembled and fused with each other to yield nanowires and further branched nanowires. The formation of the silver branched nanostructures can be explained as a process of initial reduction–nucleation–adsorption–growth–branching growth.