Wide Range Morphological Transition of Silver Nanoprisms by Selective Interaction with As(III): Tuning–Detuning of Surface Plasmon Offers To Decode the Mechanism

• Published in: Journal of physical chemistry. C 2019-05, Vol.123 (17), p.11044-11054
• Main Authors: Das Chakraborty, Sudeshna, Mondal, Subrata, Satpati, Biswarup, Pal, Uttam, De, Sandip Kumar, Bhattacharya, Maireyee, Ray, Sarmistha, Senapati, Dulal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1932-7447; 1932-7455
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b10799

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based silver nanoprisms (AgNPrs) show an initial stacking geometry because of their low zeta potential and electrostatic interaction between face-to-face energetically stable {111} surface-bound pyrrolidone groups through the Na+-ion-induced cation−π interaction. Congested interplanar space between AgNPrs allows As­(III) to react differentially with silver atoms from facial {111} and peripheral {110} facets to result in smaller stackings and finally nanoseeds. Above this critical concentration of As­(III), PVP leached out from nanoparticles to form nanoseed-engulfed emulsions and induced controlled aggregation. This entire morphological transition has been decoded by recording their surface plasmon and surface-enhanced Raman scattering tuning and confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy study. Strong affinity and selectivity of As­(III) toward the Ag atom (verified and estimated by the HF/3-21g* level of density functional theory calculation) coupled with low-cost colorimetry provide us a versatile assay with potential application in the environmental protection drive.