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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Characterization of water/AOT/benzene microemulsions during photoreduction to produce silver particles
Masafumi Harada1, Kenji Saijo, Naoki Sakamoto
1Department of Health Science and Clothing Environment, Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women's University, Nara 630-8506, Japan. harada@cc.nara-wu.ac.jp
Abstract:
Colloidal dispersions of silver (Ag) particles were prepared by the photoreduction of silver perchlorate (AgClO(4)) in water/AOT/benzene water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions consisting of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT), water and benzene. Formation mechanisms of Ag particles prepared in the presence of benzoin by photoreduction from Ag(+)-containing w/o microemulsions were investigated by UV-vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. By a combination of TEM and EXAFS results, Ag particles show a metallic nature after the photoreduction and the diameter of Ag particles ranges between 5 and 30 nm. In situ time-resolved SAXS measurements show that the integrated rate equation can be applied in the reduction process of Ag(+) ions to Ag(0) atoms, and the autocatalytic Ag particle growth proceeds in the association process of Ag(0) atoms during the photoreduction of Ag(+)-containing w/o microemulsions. The nanometer-sized water droplets microemulsified by AOT in benzene continuous-phase regulated the size of Ag particles, and the size and shape of water droplets were retained during the Ag particle formation.
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