Silver nanoparticles from the thermal decomposition of a two-dimensional nano-coordination polymer

Nanostructures of the two-dimensional coordination polymer [Ag(μ3-Hma)]n (1) [H2ma = maleic acid] have been synthesized by the reaction of KHma and AgNO3 by a sonochemical process and with oleic acid treatment at 453 K. The single-crystal X-ray data of compound 1 shows the formation of a hemi paddlewheel structure. The coordination number of the AgI ions in compound 1 is three and there is an argentophillic interaction. Silver nanostructures and silver nanoparticles were synthesized by calcination and thermal decomposition of the compound 1 nanostructures, respectively. These nanostructures and nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal stability of compound 1 was studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA).