With an increase
in biodiesel demand, a large surplus of glycerol
is expected, and there is interest regarding the usage of glycerol
as a value-added product. One such idea is to use glycerol as a “green
solvent” to replace petroleum-based organic solvents. Glycerol
is nontoxic to humans, and its vapor pressure is sufficiently high
for the chemical reaction to be performed at high temperatures under
ambient atmospheric pressures. Its dielectric constant is between
those of water and organic solvents, and it dissolves widely varying
materials, spanning between salts and organic molecules. Metal nanoparticles
have been known to be synthesized in glycerol within limited experimental
conditions, including high temperatures, alkaline pH conditions, and
the irradiance of ultraviolet light. Herein, we report that silver
nanoparticles have been formed in glycerol under completely green
conditions (e.g., room temperature, neutral pH conditions, and without
irradiance of ultraviolet light). We suggest that aldehydes and free
radicals are generated in glycerol, which is operating as reducing
species.
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