Functional dialkylimidazolium-mediated synthesis of silver nanocrystals with sensitive Hg(2+)-sensing and efficient catalysis.

Thiol-functionalized dialkylimidazolium bromide was synthesized, and used as a stabilizer to prepare monodisperse silver nanocrystals through a facile one-pot aqueous approach. It is shown that the multipurpose ligands play a vital role in improving the performance of nanocrystals. The mechanisms of dialkylimidazolium-mediated promotion were analyzed on the basis of the physicochemical properties of the specifically designed ligand.