# Stabilization of Silver Nanoparticles with a Dithiocarbamate Ligand and Formation of Nanocomposites by Combination with Polythiophene Derivative Nanoparticles

Authors: Paris Jonathan Reynoso-García; Marisol Güizado-Rodríguez; Victor Barba; Gabriel Ramos-Ortiz; Hugo Martínez-Gutiérrez
Journal: Advances in Condensed Matter Physics
 (2018)

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## Abstract

Spherical morphology for silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) stabilized with dithiocarbamate (DTC) by reducing silver nitrate with sodium borohydride was obtained, while the addition of sodium citrate and hydrogen peroxide allowed the formation of silver nanotriangles (Ag NTs). Solutions of bright yellow and blue colors characteristic of both morphologies were observed. UV-vis optical analysis of NPs stabilized with DTC showed a plasmonic absorption band at 393 nm characteristic for spherical morphology, while two bands were observed at 332 nm and 762 nm, and a shoulder around 500 nm for the triangular morphology; with these spectra each morphology was confirmed. In these spectra an absorption band between 250 and 260 nm confirms the presence of DTC ligand. The stability of the NPs was achieved using an 8.69 × 10-3mM solution of 4-(ethylaminodithiocarbamate) methylpyridine di-n-butyltin (IV) through a transmetallation reaction. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with spherical morphology of average diameter of 12.7 ± 1.2 nm and triangular morphology with 28.9 ± 0.8 nm for each side of the triangles were analyzed by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). UV-vis spectra also showed the stability of NPs with DTC for more than three months. A copolymer derived of 3-hexylthiophene with (E)-2-(ethyl(4-((4-nitrophenyl) diazenyl) phenyl) amino) ethyl 2-(thiophen-3-yl) acetate (PA) was tested to get polymer NPs by reprecipitation method using THF/water systems. PA Polymer NPs having average diameter of 9.0 ± 1.7 nm were found. By quick and easy procedure, the formation of nanocomposite (NC) of spherical Ag NPs and PA polymer NPs was reached. This NC could be used as imaging agent, electrochemical biosensor, and photonic and optoelectronic device materials.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

New methodologies have been developed for the synthesis of NPs in order to obtain specific size and shape which in turn defines its applications field. For example, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of NPs has been studied for its potential applications in chemistry, optics, magneto-optics, photonics, nanoengineering, and biosensors, among others [1, 2].The interest in synthesizing metallic NPs functionalized with a protective monolayer of some binder grew exponentially due to the numerous nanotechnology applications such as bactericidal agents, because of their antibacterial nature, formation of metallic nanostructures as hybridized plasmonic modes in nanoscale metal shells, biological applications, and its use in the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy [3–15]. Nowadays, the field of plasmonics has emerged for the development of optoelectronic devices at the nanometric scale, sensors, and biosensors: photovoltaic devices, surface plasmon enhanced light emitting diodes, optical emitters, plasmon focusing, nanoscale waveguiding, and nanoscale optical antennas, among others [16, 17].As the semiconductors, the intrinsic properties of metallic nanostructures can be modified through the control of its size, shape, composition, crystallinity, and structure. The interaction of UV radiation with the silver NPs produces oscillations in the superficial layer of the conduction electrons causing a surface plasmon. The latter results in an absorbance peak due to the surface plasmon resonance; free electrons on the surface of the NP interact with UV radiation resulting in energy absorption. Frequency and intensity of the resonance are highly dependent on the particle size, morphology, and the dielectric function of the surrounding environment. Typical peak of the surface plasmon resonance for spherical morphologies is found at approximately 400 nm, while for triangular morphology it is found at two bands (331 and 754, respectively) confirming the silver NPs formation [18, 19].A clear example is the synthesis of gold NPs coated with alkylthiols or dithiocarbamates [20]. This protective layer is necessary in order to prevent the aggregation of particles when suspended in a liquid; moreover, it can act as a binding platform for molecules or particles [21]. DTCs have emerged as an alternative to the thiols for gold and silver surface functionalization. DTCs bond is stronger than the thiols to gold and also are compatible with a wide range of environmental conditions and are easier to synthesize by condensation of amines with CS2 in basic conditions [22, 23].Polymer NPs present easy synthesis, tuneable properties, and less toxicity and more biocompatibility compared to the existing inorganic nanoparticles makes these materials highly attractive in the material choice [24]. Conductive polymer nanocomposites is a type of nanocomposite in which the conductive polymer serves as the matrix while other components at the nanoscale serve as the nanofiller, combining the synergistic effects of both components. Polythiophene (PTh) and their derivatives are one of the most popular studied conducting polymers while the most widely incorporated nanofillers consist of conducting nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, metals, and insulating ceramic nanostructures, molecular species such as metallophthalocyanines, or biologically active components such as enzymes, antibodies, and antigens [25, 26].Due to the outstanding electronic, optical, and mechanical properties, high structural stabilities, easy processing features, and economical synthesis costs, conducting polymers and their derivatives as conductive polymer nanocomposites are widely used in various optoelectronic devices [27]. It is possible to enhance their characteristics, achieve some new functionalities, and improve their performances by designing, tailoring, and modifying their structure compositions and morphologies; for instance, conductive polymer-based nanocomposites have been widely applied to fabricate the biosensors, because of their outstanding properties such as excellent electrocatalytic activity, high conductivity, and strong adsorptive ability compared to conventional conductive polymers [28].In this article, spherical and triangular silver nanoparticles were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate with sodium borohydride, while adding sodium citrate and hydrogen peroxide; the triangular morphology was obtained. These nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis and HR-SEM. Both morphologic NPs were stabilized using a dithiocarbamate tin complex by transmetallation reaction. Additionally, spherical PA polythiophene derivative NPs were obtained by reprecipitation method using THF/water systems. A light emission study for these conjugated polymer NPs was carried out. A quick and easy procedure to obtain nanocomposites formed from spherical Ag NPs stabilized with DTC and PA polymer NPs retaining its morphology was reached.


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Materials and Equipment

Silver nitrate 99.6%, sodium borohydride 98.7%, and sodium citrate 99.5% were acquired from Fermont, hydrogen peroxide 30% was bought from Golden Bell, and deionized water purchased from Hycel. UV-vis spectra were measured with an Instruments Genesys 10 Spectrophotometer, and the fluorescence spectra were determined with a Luminescence LS55 Spectrophotometer. Finally, JSM-7800F Field Emission Scanning Electron (HR-SEM) was used obtaining micrographs with transmitted and backscattered electrons, analyzed with the ImageJ program.


### 2.2. Synthesis of Nanoparticles

#### 2.2.1. Synthesis of Spherical Silver Nanoparticles

By a typical synthesis of silver nanoparticles, 30 mL (0.0643 mmol) of 2.14 mM sodium borohydride solution in deionized water was added in a round bottom flask at 10°C; next 10 mL (0.00946 mmol) of silver nitrate 0.946 mM solution was slowly added, one drop per second. The reaction was stirred to 250-300 rpm; after the complete addition the solution changed to bright yellow indicating the presence of Ag NPs and the solution was left to finish stirring. An excess of sodium borohydride was added to complete reduction of silver nitrate and increase the NPs stability. Finally, the solution was diluted until a final concentration of 4.73 × 10-5M was reached.


#### 2.2.2. Silver Nanotriangles [29, 30]

Blue Solution. The silver nanotriangles were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate (0.14 mM, 50 mL) with sodium borohydride (0.21 M, 250 μL) in the presence of sodium citrate (30.2 mM, 3 mL) and 120 μL of H2O2 (Golden Bell, 30%), in this order of addition, under magnetic stirring at room temperature to 1500 rpm; physical changes were transparent coloration change to a yellow tone and immediate change to blue tone indicative of the formation of silver nanotriangles (Ag NTs); after that, the reaction was completed, obtaining a final concentration after dilution of 2.65 × 10-5M.


#### 2.2.3. Stabilization of Spherical and Triangular Silver Nanoparticles with Dithiocarbamate Derivative (DTC-Sn-nBU)

A methanol solution (1.74 mM) of 4-(ethylaminodithiocarbamate) methylpyridine di-n-butyltin (IV) (DTC-Sn-nBu) was prepared. Tin derivative was synthesized as reported in the literature [31]. This solution was diluted in methanol to obtain an 8.69 × 10-3mM solution; 10 to 50 μL of final solution (systems labeled as 10 to 50 DTC) was added to diluted solutions of spherical Ag NPs (9 mL, 4.26 × 10-4mmol) or triangular Ag NPs (9 mL, 2.38 × 10-4mmol). The addition was carried out at room temperature and the systems were under constant stirring for 5 min at 200 rpm. Systems were completed to 10 mL with water. With this method yellow spherical or blue triangular silver NPs stabilized with dithiocarbamate were obtained.


#### 2.2.4. Polymer NPs

Polymer NPs were obtained using a polymer derived of 3-hexylthiophene with (E)-2-(ethyl (4-((4-nitrophenyl) diazenyl) phenyl) amino) ethyl 2-(thiophen-3-yl) acetate (PA), which was synthesized by our research group and is already reported [32]. A reprecipitation procedure was employed adding a THF solution of PA polymer to another solvent (water) where the polymer is insoluble. A solution of 0.03 mg/mL of PA polymer in THF was prepared and added in different volumes (1 to 9 mL) to water (9 to 1 mL) systems. The addition of PA solution to water systems was about one drop per second with constant stirring (150 rpm); the stirring continued for 10 min. After that, the minimagnet was removed and the systems were completed with the same volume system (1 : 9 to 9 : 1, THF : water) to get 10 mL using volumetric flasks. This allowed obtaining PA polymer NPs; the system 2 : 8 (THF : water) was the best, which has a concentration of 6 × 10-3mg/mL, 1.38 × 10-6M.


#### 2.2.5. Nanocomposite Formed by Silver and PA Polymer NPs

5 mL of spherical or triangular Ag NPs (10 DTC system) mentioned in Section2.2.3 was combined with 5 mL of PA polymer NPs system 2 : 8 described above in Section 2.2.4.


## 2.1. Materials and Equipment

Silver nitrate 99.6%, sodium borohydride 98.7%, and sodium citrate 99.5% were acquired from Fermont, hydrogen peroxide 30% was bought from Golden Bell, and deionized water purchased from Hycel. UV-vis spectra were measured with an Instruments Genesys 10 Spectrophotometer, and the fluorescence spectra were determined with a Luminescence LS55 Spectrophotometer. Finally, JSM-7800F Field Emission Scanning Electron (HR-SEM) was used obtaining micrographs with transmitted and backscattered electrons, analyzed with the ImageJ program.


## 2.2. Synthesis of Nanoparticles

### 2.2.1. Synthesis of Spherical Silver Nanoparticles

By a typical synthesis of silver nanoparticles, 30 mL (0.0643 mmol) of 2.14 mM sodium borohydride solution in deionized water was added in a round bottom flask at 10°C; next 10 mL (0.00946 mmol) of silver nitrate 0.946 mM solution was slowly added, one drop per second. The reaction was stirred to 250-300 rpm; after the complete addition the solution changed to bright yellow indicating the presence of Ag NPs and the solution was left to finish stirring. An excess of sodium borohydride was added to complete reduction of silver nitrate and increase the NPs stability. Finally, the solution was diluted until a final concentration of 4.73 × 10-5M was reached.


### 2.2.2. Silver Nanotriangles [29, 30]

Blue Solution. The silver nanotriangles were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate (0.14 mM, 50 mL) with sodium borohydride (0.21 M, 250 μL) in the presence of sodium citrate (30.2 mM, 3 mL) and 120 μL of H2O2 (Golden Bell, 30%), in this order of addition, under magnetic stirring at room temperature to 1500 rpm; physical changes were transparent coloration change to a yellow tone and immediate change to blue tone indicative of the formation of silver nanotriangles (Ag NTs); after that, the reaction was completed, obtaining a final concentration after dilution of 2.65 × 10-5M.


### 2.2.3. Stabilization of Spherical and Triangular Silver Nanoparticles with Dithiocarbamate Derivative (DTC-Sn-nBU)

A methanol solution (1.74 mM) of 4-(ethylaminodithiocarbamate) methylpyridine di-n-butyltin (IV) (DTC-Sn-nBu) was prepared. Tin derivative was synthesized as reported in the literature [31]. This solution was diluted in methanol to obtain an 8.69 × 10-3mM solution; 10 to 50 μL of final solution (systems labeled as 10 to 50 DTC) was added to diluted solutions of spherical Ag NPs (9 mL, 4.26 × 10-4mmol) or triangular Ag NPs (9 mL, 2.38 × 10-4mmol). The addition was carried out at room temperature and the systems were under constant stirring for 5 min at 200 rpm. Systems were completed to 10 mL with water. With this method yellow spherical or blue triangular silver NPs stabilized with dithiocarbamate were obtained.


### 2.2.4. Polymer NPs

Polymer NPs were obtained using a polymer derived of 3-hexylthiophene with (E)-2-(ethyl (4-((4-nitrophenyl) diazenyl) phenyl) amino) ethyl 2-(thiophen-3-yl) acetate (PA), which was synthesized by our research group and is already reported [32]. A reprecipitation procedure was employed adding a THF solution of PA polymer to another solvent (water) where the polymer is insoluble. A solution of 0.03 mg/mL of PA polymer in THF was prepared and added in different volumes (1 to 9 mL) to water (9 to 1 mL) systems. The addition of PA solution to water systems was about one drop per second with constant stirring (150 rpm); the stirring continued for 10 min. After that, the minimagnet was removed and the systems were completed with the same volume system (1 : 9 to 9 : 1, THF : water) to get 10 mL using volumetric flasks. This allowed obtaining PA polymer NPs; the system 2 : 8 (THF : water) was the best, which has a concentration of 6 × 10-3mg/mL, 1.38 × 10-6M.


### 2.2.5. Nanocomposite Formed by Silver and PA Polymer NPs

5 mL of spherical or triangular Ag NPs (10 DTC system) mentioned in Section2.2.3 was combined with 5 mL of PA polymer NPs system 2 : 8 described above in Section 2.2.4.


## 2.2.1. Synthesis of Spherical Silver Nanoparticles

By a typical synthesis of silver nanoparticles, 30 mL (0.0643 mmol) of 2.14 mM sodium borohydride solution in deionized water was added in a round bottom flask at 10°C; next 10 mL (0.00946 mmol) of silver nitrate 0.946 mM solution was slowly added, one drop per second. The reaction was stirred to 250-300 rpm; after the complete addition the solution changed to bright yellow indicating the presence of Ag NPs and the solution was left to finish stirring. An excess of sodium borohydride was added to complete reduction of silver nitrate and increase the NPs stability. Finally, the solution was diluted until a final concentration of 4.73 × 10-5M was reached.


## 2.2.2. Silver Nanotriangles [29, 30]

Blue Solution. The silver nanotriangles were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate (0.14 mM, 50 mL) with sodium borohydride (0.21 M, 250 μL) in the presence of sodium citrate (30.2 mM, 3 mL) and 120 μL of H2O2 (Golden Bell, 30%), in this order of addition, under magnetic stirring at room temperature to 1500 rpm; physical changes were transparent coloration change to a yellow tone and immediate change to blue tone indicative of the formation of silver nanotriangles (Ag NTs); after that, the reaction was completed, obtaining a final concentration after dilution of 2.65 × 10-5M.


## 2.2.3. Stabilization of Spherical and Triangular Silver Nanoparticles with Dithiocarbamate Derivative (DTC-Sn-nBU)

A methanol solution (1.74 mM) of 4-(ethylaminodithiocarbamate) methylpyridine di-n-butyltin (IV) (DTC-Sn-nBu) was prepared. Tin derivative was synthesized as reported in the literature [31]. This solution was diluted in methanol to obtain an 8.69 × 10-3mM solution; 10 to 50 μL of final solution (systems labeled as 10 to 50 DTC) was added to diluted solutions of spherical Ag NPs (9 mL, 4.26 × 10-4mmol) or triangular Ag NPs (9 mL, 2.38 × 10-4mmol). The addition was carried out at room temperature and the systems were under constant stirring for 5 min at 200 rpm. Systems were completed to 10 mL with water. With this method yellow spherical or blue triangular silver NPs stabilized with dithiocarbamate were obtained.


## 2.2.4. Polymer NPs

Polymer NPs were obtained using a polymer derived of 3-hexylthiophene with (E)-2-(ethyl (4-((4-nitrophenyl) diazenyl) phenyl) amino) ethyl 2-(thiophen-3-yl) acetate (PA), which was synthesized by our research group and is already reported [32]. A reprecipitation procedure was employed adding a THF solution of PA polymer to another solvent (water) where the polymer is insoluble. A solution of 0.03 mg/mL of PA polymer in THF was prepared and added in different volumes (1 to 9 mL) to water (9 to 1 mL) systems. The addition of PA solution to water systems was about one drop per second with constant stirring (150 rpm); the stirring continued for 10 min. After that, the minimagnet was removed and the systems were completed with the same volume system (1 : 9 to 9 : 1, THF : water) to get 10 mL using volumetric flasks. This allowed obtaining PA polymer NPs; the system 2 : 8 (THF : water) was the best, which has a concentration of 6 × 10-3mg/mL, 1.38 × 10-6M.


## 2.2.5. Nanocomposite Formed by Silver and PA Polymer NPs

5 mL of spherical or triangular Ag NPs (10 DTC system) mentioned in Section2.2.3 was combined with 5 mL of PA polymer NPs system 2 : 8 described above in Section 2.2.4.


## 3. Results and Discussion

A yellow solution is obtained by the reduction of silver ions when NaBH4 was added. The UV-vis measurements exhibited a single peak at 390 nm, Figure 1, independent of the NP concentration. Spectrum is in good agreement with results and predictions for spherical Ag NPs of sizes between 3 nm and 20 nm [1, 2].Figure 1
UV-vis spectrum of spherical Ag NPs.Several volumes of DTC-Sn-nBu solution (10-50 μL, 8.69 × 10-6M) were added as stabilizer of Ag NPs, with spherical morphology (4.26 × 10-5M). A peak at λmax = 393 nm was observed (Figure 2(a)). An absorption band of 250 nm was probably from DTC ligand. It was of interest to investigate whether neutral DTC-Sn-nBu complexes could be used as alternative synthons to produce dithiocarbamate stabilized NPs, as a zinc (II) dithiocarbamate complex has been used for this purpose [23]. EDX analysis of particles did not show the presence of tin atoms; this observation confirms that during particle formation tin atoms are not present at the particle core and that presumably tin cation exists in a solvated form in the capping ligand shell preserving electroneutrality with the dithiocarbamate anion, Figure 2(b).Figure 2
(a) UV-vis spectra of Ag NPs stabilized with DTC-Sn-nBu; (b) representation of DTC-Sn-nBu stabilizing Ag NPs.
(a) (b)The particle dimensions were evaluated by HR-SEM measurements, where a drop of the nanoparticle solution was spread onto a Carbon Film 300 Mesh Cu. The size distribution for all NPs was fitted to the log-normal distribution with Do = median particle diameter andλD = width of the distribution with average particle diameter <D>, and standard deviation σ [33]. Spherical Ag NPs with an average particle diameter <D> of 12.7 ± 1.2 nm (Figure 3) were found.Figure 3
(a) Micrograph of Ag NPs stabilized with DTC-Sn-nBu; (b) histogram of Ag NPs.
(a) (b)When the sodium citrate and hydrogen peroxide are added before NaBH4, the solution acquires first a yellow color, but after some minutes the color had changed to blue. UV-vis absorption spectrum clearly reflects the anisotropic shape of Ag NTs. Instead of a single peak around 400 nm characteristic of spherical particles, three peaks appear at 682 nm, 480 nm, and 333 nm. These peaks have been attributed to the in-plane dipole, in-plane quadrupole, and out-of-plane quadrupole plasmon resonances [29, 30]. In our analysis two bands at 331 nm and 754 nm, the last one with a shoulder around 500 nm, characteristic of Ag NTs were founded (Figure 4).Figure 4
UV-vis spectrum of Ag nanotriangles.Different amounts of DTC-Sn-nBu (10-30 μL, 8.69 × 10-6M) were also added to the Ag NTs, obtaining bands at 332 nm, with a mild shoulder around 500 nm and 762 nm, Figure 5. Also, an absorption band of 260 nm from DTC ligand was observed. SEM-HR analysis showed that the Ag NTs presented an average side size of 28.9 ± 0.8 nm, Figure 6.Figure 5
UV-vis spectra of Ag NTs stabilized with DTC-Sn-nBu.Figure 6
(a) SEM-HR micrograph and (b) histogram of Ag nanotriangles stabilized with DTC-Sn-nBu.
(a) (b)Through the reprecipitation method using 2 : 8 (THF : water) system, spherical PA polymer NPs were obtained. As an example, the UV-vis spectrum of PA polymer with bands at 255 nm and 448 nm and its structure are shown, Figure7. An average diameter of 9.0 ± 1.7 nm for this PA polymer NPs was found, Figure 8.Figure 7
(a) UV-vis spectrum of PA polymer NPs relation 2 : 8 THF : water system; (b) structure of PA polymer.
(a) (b)Figure 8
(a) SEM-HR micrograph of PA polymer NPs (x200,000); (b) histogram of PA polymer NPs.
(a) (b)Emission spectra of PA polymer NPs in several solvent relations are presented in Figures9(a) and 9(b). In emission spectrum of 2 : 8 (THF : water) relation, a band at 573 nm and a shoulder at 617 nm are observed. The spectra analysis showed two behaviors: a batochromic shift from relations 1 : 9 to 4 : 6 and from 5 : 5 to 9 : 1. In the spectrum obtained with relation 5 : 5 (THF : water) two bands at 515 nm and 568 nm and a shoulder at 620 nm are found, Figure 9(b).Figure 9
Normalized PL spectra of PA NPs. (a) Relations of 1 : 9 to 4 : 6 and (b) 5 : 5 to 9 : 1 (THF : water) systems under UV illumination.
(a) (b)PA polymer and Ag NPs were combined in a 5 : 5 relation (5 mL of PA polymer system 2 : 8/5 mL of spherical Ag NPs 10 DTC system), Figure10. Only the spherical Ag NPs retained their morphology when combined with the PA polymer nanoparticles. It is possible to see that the absorption decreased more compared to that caused by dilution (50%); additionally, the nanocomposite (NC) presented the combination of both absorption bands, 405 nm and around 500 nm: one for the plasmonic band absorption of Ag NPs that has a small red shift of 12 nm and another for PA polymer NPs. Emission of this NC was quenched because of the presence of Ag NPs.Figure 10
UV-vis spectra of NC formed of Ag NPs and PA polymer NPs.The SEM micrographs of the NCs exhibit very visible and well-dispersed nanospherical particles from both structures after the combination, Figure11. When NPs are analyzed by HR-SEM using transmitted electrons, PA polymer NPs are showed as gray spheres while Ag NPs are presented as darker spheres. If the NPs are analyzed using backscattered electrons, Ag NPs are the brightest.Figure 11
SEM-HR micrography of NCs (x100,000) obtained by (a) transmitted electrons and (b) backscattered electrons.
(a) (b)


## 4. Conclusions

An effective methodology was established for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles with spherical morphology with average diameter of 12.7 ± 1.2 nm and triangular prisms with side size of 28.9 ± 0.8 nm using DTC-Sn-nBu dithiocarbamate as the protecting ligand through a transmetallation reaction. These Ag NPs at low concentrations are stable for more than three months. The PA polymer NPs with average diameter of 9.0 ± 1.7 nm were obtained by the reprecipitation method using THF/H2O system relation 2 : 8. The combination of both systems at specific concentrations gave nanocomposites (NCs); the nanocomposite formed by spherical Ag NPs and PA polymer NPs was the most stable system that retained the spherical morphology of both. These systems could be interesting for applications in the fields of catalysis, biosensing, electronics, and optics.



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