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Abstract

A simple and high-reproducible method for the synthesis of polymer-protected silver cluster of controlled size is described. UV-visible spectroscopy has been used for investigating the influence of the aging of the protective poly(vinylpyrrolidone) layer on the cluster growth rate at different reaction temperatures and poly(vinylpyrrolidone)/ethylene glycol weight ratios. The obtained results show that the aging time of the polymeric stabilizer solution plays a fundamental role in the reproducibility of the cluster growth process. A model for the metal cluster formation-grow process is also proposed.

PACS. 78.67.Bf Nanocrystals and nanoparticles – 36.40.Gk Plasma and collective effects in clusters – 82.30.Nr Association, addition, insertion, cluster formation

Received 18 July 2001 and Received in final form 3 October 2001

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