Hierarchic self-assembling of silver nanoparticles in solution

Facile chemical synthesis and understanding of the formation mechanism of silver nanoparticles, ordered on the microscale on one-dimensional (1D), 2D or in 3D structures of complex forms is challenging for advanced applications, in electronics, optoelectronics, and medicine, to mention a few. Significant results obtained in the comprehension of assembling mechanisms in solutions of silver nanoparticles in 1D, 2D, and 3D organic-inorganic mesostructures are surveyed together with details on their preparation and characterization. Emphasis will be placed on very recent results obtained in our laboratories on self-assembly of silver nanoparticles in 1D microstructures and hierarchic ordering in 3D flower-like mesostructures monitored and studied by in situ and time-resolved small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements.