Application Note

Application Note
Particle Size of Colloidal Silver
ADS130

Particle Size Measurement of Colloidal Silver

Introduction

A silver colloid is a suspension with a dispersed phase

consisting of silver particles between 1 nm – 1 µm evenly
dispersed in a continuous phase. The sample can be
considered to be on the nanoparticle scale if the size of the
dispersed phase particles is between 1-100 nm. In general,
silver colloids are prepared by liquid phase reduction. The
reducing agent type and conditions can be varied to obtain
a silver colloid of a given particle size range. Silver colloidal
particles can be stabilized by coating their surfaces with
Figure 1: TEM photograph of colloidal silver suspension*
polymers to form 3D barriers (steric stabilization) or using
the reduction potential of silver to impose electric repulsive
forces between particles (electrostatic stabilization). 100

Because of their unique optical, electrical, and thermal 20 number mean = 2.4 nm
characteristics, silver nanoparticles have found their
way into a broad array of products including solar
Frequency (%)

cells, sensors, conductive ink, paste, and fillers. Other

50
applications for colloidal silver include micro wiring
10
material using their high electric conductivity, and
antibacterial coating.

Analytical Test Method

This document is not contractually binding under any circumstances © 2022 HORIBA Instruments Incorporated
0
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
Instrument: SZ-100 nano Partica Diameter (nm)
Sample: Silver nanoparticles
Temperature: 25° C Figure 2: Colloidal silver particle size result
Dispersing medium: Hexane
Algorithm: Polydisperse, standard
Angle: 90° Results
Measurement duration: 90 seconds
Result format: Number distribution The measurement result of a silver colloidal sample is
shown in Figure 2. The mean diameter of this sample was
2.4 nm when displayed as a number distribution. Results
were generated based on the number distribution in order
to better compare results to existing historic data based on
microscopy.

*Photograph courtesy: Shinko Kagaku Co., Ltd., is not necessarily related

to data shown in this document.

labinfo@horiba.com • www.horiba.com/scientific • USA: +1 (800) 446-7422 • France: +33 (0)1 64 54 13 00 • Japan: +81 (0)3 38618231

Explore the future Automotive | Process & Environmental | Medical | Semiconductor | Scientific