Effects of surfactants on electrochemically prepared Ag nanostructures.

The morphology and corrosion behavior of electrochemically prepared Ag nanostructures (NSs) have been examined in the absence and presence of potassium citrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween-20). These additives give rise to morphologically distinct Ag NSs. The presence of citrate increases the dissolution of Ag and creates finer nanostructured Ag surfaces with more cavities, while Tween-20 protects the Ag surface against corrosion in alkaline solution and generates spherical non-packed nanofeatured Ag surfaces.