Electrochemical deposition of flower-like nanostructured silver particles with a PVA modified carbon cloth cathode

A novel electrochemical method for preparing flower-like nanostructured silver particles using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) modified carbon cloth as a cathode is reported. The method does not involve the use of any morphological control agents in aqueous solution. The morphology of the silver nanoparticles obtained was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The effects of the operating conditions on the deposited silver nanoparticles were investigated. It was found that PVA concentration for carbon cloth modification had a significant effect on the deposited silver morphology. With 1% PVA modification, current density of 10 μA cm^-2 and silver nitrate concentration of 1 mM, a flower-like nanostructured silver with petal thickness of 100 nm can be prepared. With the reaction proceeding, silver nanocrystals nucleated on the cathode in a few seconds, then the nuclei grew and the rudimental flower-like silver started to form in 1 min. The perfect flower-like nanostructure of silver was formed in 20 min. However overlong reaction time led to micrometer sized blocks. The specific silver nanostructure growth might be attributed to the silver ion concentration gradient caused by reaction and diffusion rate and the effects of PVA.