Synthesis of silver nanoplates at high yields by slowing down the polyol reduction of silver nitrate with polyacrylamide

This communication describes a simple route to Ag nanoplates by slowing the polyol reduction of silver nitrate with polyacrylamide (PAM). In addition to its role as a stabilizer for Ag colloids, the amino groups of PAM can form complexes with Ag+ ions in the solution to substantially reducing the reduction rate, leading to the formation of thin nanoplates.