Phase transfer of silver nanoparticles from aqueous to organic solutions using fatty amine molecules

We demonstrate the phase transfer of silver nanoparticles synthesized in an aqueous medium into hexane containing the cationic surfactant octadecylamine (ODA). During vigorous shaking of the biphasic mixture, rapid phase transfer of the silver nanoparticles into the organic phase was observed. The phase transfer of the silver nanoparticles arises due to coupling of the silver nanoparticles with the ODA molecules present in organic phase via either coordination bond formation or weak covalent interaction. This process renders the nanoparticles sufficiently hydrophobic and dispersible in the organic phase. The ODA-stabilized silver nanoparticles could be separated out from the organic phase in the form of a powder and are readily redispersible in different organic solvents. The nature of binding of the ODA molecules to the silver nanoparticle surface was characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, transmission electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.