Novel explosive method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles

The detonation of explosive materials creates unique and extreme conditions, which typically require expensive, specialised equipment to replicate and are far more time-consuming than simple detonation processes. These extreme conditions, however, can be harnessed for the synthesis of functional inorganic materials. Recent investigations into silver-based explosives have demonstrated the generation of silver nanoparticles during detonation, marking an advancement in the BANG (Bristol Accelerated Nanoparticle Generation) method, previously limited to gold. This solvent-free synthesis enables the creation of uncapped, heterogeneous nanoparticles, offering enhanced versatility for subsequent functionalization or application. Nanoparticle formation was verified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while their composition was confirmed through electron and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques.