Abstract Over the past few decades, nanoparticles of noble metals such as silver exhibited significantly
distinct physical, chemical and biological properties from their bulk counterparts. Nano-size
particles of less than 100 nm in diameter are currently attracting increasing attention for the wide
range of new applications in various fields of industry. Such powders can exhibit properties that
differ substantially from those of bulk materials, as a result of small particle dimension, high surface
area, quantum confinement and other effects. Most of the unique properties of nanoparticles
require not only the particles to be of nano-sized, but also the particles be dispersed without
agglomeration. Discoveries in the past decade have clearly demonstrated that the electromagnetic,
optical and catalytic properties of silver nanoparticles are strongly influenced by shape, size and size
distribution, which are often varied by varying the synthetic methods, reducing agents and stabilizers.
Accordingly, this review presents different methods of preparation silver nanoparticles and
application of these nanoparticles in different fields.
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