Synthesis of fullerene[C60]-silver nanoparticles using various non-ionic surfactants under microwave irradiation

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized from the reaction of silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ) with a 1 wt% aqueous solution of polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, and Brij 97, respectively, under microwave irradiation. The resulting nanoparticles were effectively dispersed throughout water and characterized by UV–vis spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The reaction time of 45 s was investigated by monitoring the color change of the nanoparticle solution. The peaks in the UV–vis spectra showed surface plasmon resonance characteristics inherent in silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were reacted with 4-aminothiophenol in water, followed by addition of diethyl ether and fullerene[C 60 ] in toluene and stirring for 24 h. The resulting fullerene[C 60 ]-silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis and MALDI–TOF–MS spectra.