Thermoreversible Fibrous Hydrogel of Benzene‐Centered Tris‐dodecylimidazolium Bromide: A Dual Role as Stabilizer and Directing Agent for Silver Dendrites.

Benzene centered tris‐alkylimidazolium bromide salts, denoted as BTIm(R)3Br3 ; where R=C12H25 and C14H29 have been prepared and structurally characterised. The hydrogelation ability and stabilizer role of these salts for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) via chemical reduction method is described. A worth note that the BTIm(C12)3Br3 compound could lead a thermoreversible fibrous‐hydrogel in water, which plays a dual role as stabilizer and directing agent for silver dendritic nanostructures. While the partial‐hydrogel of BTIm(C12)3Br3 contributes silver nanospheres. The non‐gel solutions of BTIm(C12)3Br3 in dichloromethane, and BTIm(C14)3Br3 in water as stabilizers did not show control over the shape of AgNPs, and they lead mixed morphology. The experimental conditions, i. e. temperature, heating‐cooling process and the physical state of the stabilizer play a key role in the thermoreversible hydrogel and partial‐hydrogel control over the morphology of Ag nanostructures. Overall, the outcome of the present study provides new possibility for the use of thermoreversible fibrous gels to prepare Ag dendrites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]