3.6. TEM analysis
The TEM technique was used to evaluate the morphology and
distribution of the AgNPs self-assembled
films. Fig. 6 shows the
cross section of thin
film (8 4 4), which presented the highest
bactericidal efficiency and silver concentration. The AgNPs were
found to be randomly distributed and concentrated on the surface
of the
film analyzed. In addition, the TEM image reveals the
presence of some agglomerates. The AgNPs have spherical shape
and present an average diameter of approximately 30 nm, which is
similar to the size of AgNPs in solution (Fig. 1a).