Nanoparticle synthesis and the formation of inks therefrom

A method of making nanoparticles comprising:

• a. reducing a first metal precursor in the presence of a reaction medium to form the nanoparticles, wherein the reaction medium comprises a plurality of carboxylate moieties;
• and
• b. isolating the nanoparticles from the reaction medium.

A method of synthesizing nanoparticles from a metal precursor comprising:

• a. forming a growth modifier solution comprising a plurality of carboxylate moieties;
• and
• b. reducing the metal precursor in the presence of the growth modifier solution to generated the nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles have an average diameter of 100 nanometers or less.

A method of making nanoparticles comprising silver, the method comprising:

• a. forming a mixture of silver oxide in a solution comprising of one or more carboxylic acids and a hydrocarbon solvent;
• and
• b. reducing the silver oxide in the presence of the one or more carboxylic acids and a hydrocarbon solvent.