The laboratory on silver nanoparticle synthesis will be taught by Pedro Paulo (pedro.m.paulo@tecnico.ulisboa.pt) and Rui Silva (ruipsilva@tecnico.ulisboa.pt). If you have questions or doubts regarding this lab component, please contact us.
The experimental report follows the standard structure: First page (identification); Abstract (200 words max.); Introduction (1000 words max.); Experimental (Materials, Procedures, Methods); Results (analysis of your own results); Discussion (including all results from the shift); Conclusions (300 words max); References (be consistent); Annexes.
Objectives of this lab component:
- Synthesis of silver nanoparticles according to the protocol provided.
- Understand the principles of metal nanoparticle synthesis by wet chemistry.
- Learn how to promote and tailor anisotropic growth of metal nanoparticles.
- Gain insight on the relation between optical properties and particle’s size, shape and composition.
- Learn how to analyze optical spectra and electron microscope images of metal nanoparticles
- Relate the unique properties of plasmonic nanomaterials to their applications.
The report should clearly demonstrate that all the objectives above have been achieved.
To participate in the lab classes, it is mandatory to wear a lab coat, safety goggles and appropriate clothing.
Important deadlines:
- May 19th - submission of the results in the shared Excel (please do not delay submitting the results, as all groups will analyze each other’s results).
- June 1st - report delivery.
- June 11th - discussion (no PowerPoint presentation is needed).
In the attached files, you may find the experimental procedure (Silver lab.pdf), which you should read and learn prior to the class. It is also provided supporting information on how to analyze the optical spectra of gold nanorods (DNano25-26 – Plasmonic Nanomaterials.xlsx) and on how to analyze electron microscopy images (TEM_image_analysis.pdf). Please follow the instructions on the spreadsheet and analyze the spectrum of samples A to C. Further, download the attached TEM image corresponding to your group number and perform the image analysis to extract the sample distributions of particle’s length, width and aspect ratio. Include a section on the report about the spectra and image analysis.