Idwongot, Moses2026-08-302026-08-302026Idwongot, M. (2026). Synthesis of silver oxide nanoparticles and their application in the epoxidation of ethylene. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.https://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/9197Undergraduate research reportSilver oxide nanoparticles (Ag2O NPs) have emerged as promising catalysts for the selective epoxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide, an industrially significant chemical intermediate. This study focuses on synthesis, characterization, and catalytic evaluation of silver oxide nanoparticles for ethylene epoxidation. The nanoparticles were synthesized via chemical precipitation of silver nitrate salt as a precursor salt, sodium hydroxide as a precipitating agent, and PVP as a stabilizing and capping agent. Synthesis parameters, including temperature (83±2 0C), pH (8.10±0.05), and reaction time (120 minutes), were optimized to achieve well-defined nanoparticles. These were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy), and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) coupled with EDX (Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed the surface plasmon resonance at 421 nm, confirming the nanoparticle formation. FTIR spectroscopy showed a strong Ag-O vibrational peak at 450 cm-1, verifying silver oxide formation alongside C=O and CN stretch indicative of successful PVP capping. SEM analysis revealed agglomerated silver oxide nanoparticles with irregular morphology, with the size ranging from 50-200 nm, while EDX confirmed a silver composition of 79.5% and oxygen composition of 9.9%.enOther