Enhanced Ag(+) Ion Release from Aqueous Nanosilver Suspensions by Absorption of Ambient CO2

Nanosilver with closely controlled average particle diameter (7-30 nm) immobilized on nanosilica is prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption, and transmission electron microscopy. The presence of Ag2O on the as-prepared nanosilver surface is confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy and quantified by thermogravimetric analysis and mass spectrometry. The release of Ag(+) ions in deionized water is monitored electrochemically and traced quantitatively to the dissolution of a preexisting Ag2O monolayer on the nanosilver surface. During this dissolution, the pH of the host solution rapidly increases, suppressing dissolution of the remaining metallic Ag. When, however, a nanosilver suspension is exposed to a CO2-containing atmosphere, like ambient air during its storage or usage, then CO2 is absorbed by the host solution decreasing its pH and contributing to metallic Ag dissolution and further leaching of Ag(+) ions. So the release of Ag(+) ions from the above closely sized nanosilver solutions in the absence and presence of CO2 as well as under synthetic air containing 200-1800 ppm of CO2 is investigated along with the solution pH and related to the antibacterial activity of nanosilver.