Fabrication of flexible conductive nanosheets at air-water interface by UV irradiation of loosely-packed AgNPs monolayer

We demonstrate a UV irradiation approach for synthesizing conductive Ag nanosheets at the air–water interface from monolayers of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). Herein, electrostatic interaction between anionic AgNPs dispersed in water and a cationic water-insoluble surfactant led to the formation of the monolayer. UV irradiation decomposes the surfactant molecules that deposit AgNPs, promoting sintering between AgNPs and changing the surfaces into conductive nanosheets. Additionally, we demonstrate that AgNPs from the surrounding area infiltrate the UV-irradiated region during the photodecomposition of the surfactant molecules. This phenomenon permits the fabrication of Ag nanosheets from monolayers of AgNPs with loosely packed, low-density structures and polydisperse AgNPs with numerous void structures.