Investigation into the mechanism and microstructure of reaction intermediates in the two-phase synthesis of alkanethiol-capped silver nanoparticles.

To gain better control over the characteristics of the alkanethiol-capped silver nanoparticles (SNP) prepared by the two-phase method, the intermediate stage of this reaction and the structure of the precursor compound were investigated. Samples taken from the intermediate stage of the reaction were analyzed by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy both in solution and after solvent removal. The (1)H NMR chemical shifts of the complexes formed during the phase-transfer step were used to detect any structural changes that occur upon introduction of nonanethiol.