Micro-Raman Spectroscopy of Nanostructured Silver Sulfide

Nanostructured silver sulfide powder with an average particle size of about 45 nm, an acanthite α-Ag₂S monoclinic structure (space group P2₁/c), and nonstoichiometric composition Ag_1.93S has been synthesized by the chemical deposition method. The silver sulfide nanopowder has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. According to the Raman scattering data, heating the nanopowder with high-power laser radiation in air leads to photoinduced decomposition of the Ag_1.93S nanopowder to give silver metal. The Raman spectrum of the silver sulfide nanopowder shows a series of bands in the low-frequency range from 90 to 260 cm^–1 associated with vibrations of silver atoms, Ag–S bonds, and symmetric Ag–S–Ag longitudinal modes. Raman spectroscopy confirmed an acanthite monoclinic structure of synthesized silver sulfide nanopowder.     

Structure and Electron Spin Resonance of Annealed Sol-Gel Glasses Containing Ag

In this work, SiO₂ samples with silver, prepared using the sol-gel method, were analyzed after being thermally treated in air in the range of 100 to 800°C. The sol-gel starting solutions were prepared by mixing tetra-ethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS), water and ethanol. Samples with 4 different H₂O/TEOS molar ratios (3.3, 5, 7.5 and 11.7 respectively) and with different nominal Ag concentrations were prepared (1, 2 and 4%vol. of Ag). It was found that upon annealing, different silver spices were formed, such as Ag₂ ⁺, Ag⁺, Ag°, and metallic silver aggregates. The identification of these spices was carried out by means of X-ray diffraction, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), optical emission and optical absorption. It was also found that the specific type of silver spices observed depends on the structure of the SiO₂ matrix and on the annealing temperatures. It was found that samples prepared from precursor solutions with a low H₂O/TEOS ratio have a more open structure, and therefore silver diffuses faster and forms agglomerates at lower temperatures. Samples prepared from solutions with larger H₂O/TEOS ratios have a more dense structure, which allows the formation of atomic or molecular spices in addition to silver particles. A systematic study of this system was carried out using EPR on samples prepared from solutions having different H₂O/TEOS molar ratios, various Ag concentrations and subjected to different thermal treatments.     

Investigation of the interaction between cobalt sulfide coatings and Ag(I) ions using cyclic voltammetry in KClO4 and NaOH aqueous solutions and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Cobalt sulfide coatings have been investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KClO₄ and 0.1 M NaOH solutions and analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. They have been shown to contain CoS(OH), CoS and Co(OH)₂. After treating such Co sulfide coatings with AgNO₃ solution, their composition changes: both the cobalt and oxygen content decreases and Ag (up to 85 at%) appears in the coating as Ag₂S, Ag₂O and metallic Ag. Co(II) compounds react with Ag⁺ ions according to an exchange reaction [CoS+2Ag⁺+2H₂O→Ag₂S+Co(OH)₂+2H⁺]. In the course of the reaction of Co(OH)₂ with silver ions, a redox process occurs, giving metallic silver [Co(OH)₂+Ag⁺+H₂O→Ag°+Co(OH)₃+H⁺ or Co(OH)₂+Ag⁺→Ag°+CoO(OH)+H⁺]. Ag₂S reduction takes place at more positive potentials than Cu reduction; therefore sulfide layers of cobalt modified with silver ions, unlike unmodified ones, may be plated with Cu from both acid and alkaline electrolytes. Electronic Publication     

A macrocycle-assisted nanoparticlization process for bulk Ag2S

We report herein a new nanoparticlization process for the bulk-to-nano transformation of Ag₂S by incorporating both top-down and bottom-up approaches. Bulk Ag₂S was dissolved in solution with the assistance of a macrocyclic ligand, hexamethylazacalix[6]pyridine (Py[6]), to produce polynuclear silver sulfide cluster aggregates. All Ag–S cluster aggregates obtained in three crystalline complexes were protected by Py[6] macrocycles. Removing the protective Py[6] macrocycles by protonation led to the generation of unconventional Ag–S nanoparticles with a large energy gap. Theoretical calculations by a hybrid DFT method demonstrated that the silver sulfide clusters with high Ag/S ratio exhibited more localized HOMO–LUMO orbitals, which consequently enlarged their band gap energies. These experimental and theoretical studies broaden our understanding of the fabrication of nanomaterials by virtue of the advantages of both bottom-up and top-down methods and meanwhile provide a viable means of adjusting the band gap of binary nanomaterials independent of their size.     

Sulfide analysis by the silver sulfide-silver electrode

Summary The study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of the silver sulfide-silver electrode for measuringsulfldes in foods by means of the electromotive force of the cell saturated calomel electrode/S^2–/Ag₂S, Ag. The electrode response to sulfide ion activity over the pH interval 3 to 12 was determined, and procedures for the standardization of the silver sulfide-silver electrode are discussed.

---

Sulfidanalyse mit Hilfe der Silbersulfid/Silberelektrode

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Untersuchungen ist es, die Silbersulfid/Silberelektrode auf ihre Verwendbarkeit zurMessung von Sulfiden in Lebensmitteln zu prüfen. Die vorliegende Mitteilung befaßt sich mit dem Einfluß des pH-Wertes im Bereich von 3–12 auf das Potential sowie mit den Möglichkeiten der Standardisierung des Elektrodensystems gesättigte Kalomelelektrode/S^2–/Ag₂S, Ag.

     

Improved Photocatalytic Activity and Stability of Nano‐sized Ag/Ag2CO3 Plasmonic Photocatalyst by Surface Modification of Fe(III) Nanocluster

The surface modification of Ag/Ag₂CO₃ with Fe(III) ions has been achieved through simply photoreduction‐impregnation method. The obtained products were characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy. Under visible‐light irradiation (γ>420 nm), the Fe(III)/Ag/Ag₂CO₃ sample displays a higher photocatalytic activity and stability than pure Ag₂CO₃ and Ag/Ag₂CO₃ samples for the degradation of methyl orange (MO). The improved photocatalytic activity and stability of this ternary system could be ascribed to the synergetic effect between Ag nanoparticles and Fe(III) nanocluster. The metallic Ag nanoparticles cause an obviously enhanced visible‐light absorption to produce more photogenerated charges, while the Fe(III) works as an active site for the following oxygen reduction to reduce the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes.     

Catalysis of the Reduction of Silver Ions by Ag2S Nanoparticles

Silver sulfide nanoparticles were found to catalyze the reduction of Ag⁺ ions by sodium sulfite and hydroquinone. The change in the absorption spectrum of the reaction mixtures was studied. New bands were found to arise at 403, 415, and 426 nm depending on the reaction conditions. These bands were identified as plasmon bands of metallic silver nanoparticles. The kinetics of this process was determined under various conditions and Ag₂S nanoparticles were found to be a highly active catalyst.     

Converting Ag2SCdS and Ag2SZnS into AgCdS and AgZnS Nanoheterostructures by Selective Extraction of Sulfur

A mild three‐step solution strategy is developed to prepare Ag? MS (M=Zn, Cd) nanoheterostructures composed of MS nanorods with silver tips. First, Ag₂S? MS heterostructures are synthesized by following a solution–liquid–solid mechanism with Ag₂S nanoparticles as catalysts, then the Ag₂S sections of the heterostructures are converted into silver nanoparticles by selective extraction of sulfur. Notably, for the prepared Ag? CdS heterostructures, the localized surface plasmon resonance of silver remarkably intensifies the photoluminescence of CdS by enhancing the excitation light absorption, which is beneficial for potential applications of CdS nanoparticles in the fields of biolabeling, light‐emitting diodes, and so forth. The strategy reported herein would be useful for designing and fabricating other metal–semiconductor hybrid nanostructures with desirable performances.     

A Novel QCM-based Biosensor for Detection of Microorganisms Producing Hydrogen Sulfide

Abstract

A novel piezoelectric quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device with gas permeable membrane is proposed for the detection of microorganisms producing hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). The detection theory is based on the adsorption of hydrogen sulfide onto the silver electrode of the piezoelectric crystal sensor, which causes a dramatic decrease in the resonant frequency of QCM. A 100 Hz frequency shift is chosen as the criteria value to judge the presence of microorganisms producing H₂S. Factors affecting detection were investigated. Desiccant is of great practical importance in sensor response. This new biosensor can be a potential candidate for detecting bacteria which produce hydrogen sulfide.     

Application of surface science techniques to study a gilded Egyptian funerary mask: A multi-analytical approach

A wide range of analytical techniques has been used to study an Egyptian funerary mask of the Ptolemaic period (305-30 bc ). Secondary electron (SE) and back-scattering (BS) images, recorded by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), provided a detailed representation of the metallurgical techniques used to construct the gilded mask. It is confirmed, that the golden leaf used to cover the mask is the product of an antique refinery practice, so called, cementation process of naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, namely electrum. Complementary results of SEM-electron dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)–wavelength dispersion spectroscopy (WDS) provided chemical compositions of the golden leaf as well as in the plaster base of the mask. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the presence of Au, Ag, Si, S, Cl, Ca, and N, in addition to O and C. Relative concentration of Au/Ag at the surface has been measured by XPS to be 70% to 30%. XPS depth profiling verified silver-enrichment at the surface, as ratio of gold to silver is measured to be 80% to 20% at the depth of 15 nm. XPS chemical mapping images of gold and silver confirmed a rather inhomogeneous character of Au/Ag relative concentration at the surface. The main diffraction peaks in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum coincide with diffraction peaks of pure gold, silver metals, and magnesium calcite Mg_0.03Ca_0.97CO₃. Whereas, Raman spectroscopy results implied the existence of Ag₂S, a tarnishing compound, on the golden area of the mask.     

Highly Tunable Heterojunctions from Multimetallic Sulfide Nanoparticles and Silver Nanowires

A facile and general strategy is presented to create well‐defined heterojunctions with ultra‐small multimetallic sulfide nanoparticles (MMSNPs) uniformly coated on sliver nanowires. A unique aspect of this method is the atomic‐level pre‐integration of multimetallic components by exploiting recently developed supertetrahedral metal sulfide nanoclusters. The use of such nanoclusters also enables the convenient formation of the ultrathin interfacial Ag₂S layer via etching. The heterojunctions (denoted as MMSNPs/Ag₂S/Ag‐NWs) benefit from adjustable multimetallic components and display tunable visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic performance owing to the synergistic effect of multimetallic components from MMSNPs and the high carrier mobility of Ag‐NWs. The synthetic strategy opens new routes to designing and fabricating various heterojunctions with multimetallic components, which could further expand their applications in catalysis, electronics, and photonics.     

A comparative studyof heat‐treated Ag:SiO2 nanocomposites synthesized by cosputtering and sol‐gel methods

In this work, we compared formation and properties of heat‐treated Ag nanoparticles in silica matrix synthesized by RF‐reactive magnetron cosputtering and sol–gel methods separately. The sol–gel and sputtered films were annealed at different temperatures in air and in a reduced environment, respectively. The optical UV‐visible spectrophotometry have shown that the absorption peak appears at 456 and 400 nm wavelength indicating formation of silver nanoparticles in SiO₂ matrix for both the sol–gel and sputtering methods at 100 and 800 °C, respectively. XPS measurements showed that the metallic Ag⁰ nanoparticles can be obtained from both the techniques at these temperatures. According to XPS and AFM analysis, by increasing annealing temperature, the concentration of the Ag nanoparticles on the surface decreased and the nanoparticles diffused into the substrate for the sol–gel films, while for the films deposited by cosputtering method, the Ag surface concentration increased by increasing the temperature. Based on AFM observations, the size of nanoparticles on the surface were obtained at about 25 and 55 nm for sputtered and sol–gel films, respectively, supporting our optical data analysis. In comparison, the sputtering technique can produce Ag metallic nanoparticles with a narrower particle size distribution relative to the sol–gel method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photoelectrochemical Properties of Sol-Gel Processed Ag-TiO2 Nanocomposite Thin Films

Ag-TiO₂ thin films were prepared with a sol-gel route, using titanium isopropoxide and silver nitrate as precursors, at 0, 0.03 and 0.06 Ag/Ti nominal atomic ratios. After drying at 80°C, the films were fired at 300°C, 500°C, and 600°C for 30 min and 5 h. Glancing angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), with depth profiling of the concentration, were used to study the films. XPS analysis showed the presence of C and N as impurities in the nanocomposite films. Their concentration decreased with increasing the firing temperature. Chemical state analysis showed that Ag was present in metallic state, except for the outer layer where it was present as Ag⁺. For the films prepared with a Agt/Ti concentration of 0.06, depth profiling measurements of the film fired at 300°C showed a strong Ag enrichment at the outer surface, while composition remained almost constant within the rest of the film, at Ag/Ti atomic ratio of 0.02. Two layers were found for the films heated to 500°C, where the Ag/Ti ratios were 0.015 near the surface and 0.03 near the substrate. The photoelectrochemical properties of Ag-TiO₂ were studied for thin films deposited on ITO substrates. Photocurrents of Ag-TiO₂ nanocomposite electrodes fired at 300°C were observed even at visible light, for wavelengths longer than 400 nm.     

Preparation of antimicrobial poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers containing silver nanoparticles

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers containing Ag nanoparticles were prepared by electrospinning PVA/silver nitrate (AgNO₃) aqueous solutions, followed by short heat treatment, and their antimicrobial activity was investigated for wound dressing applications. Since PVA is a water soluble and biocompatible polymer, it is one of the best materials for the preparation of wound dressing nanofibers. After heat treatment at 155 °C for 3 min, the PVA/AgNO₃ nanofibers became insoluble, while the Ag⁺ ions therein were reduced so as to produce a large number of Ag nanoparticles situated preferentially on their surface. The residual Ag⁺ ions were reduced by subsequent UV irradiation for 3 h. The average diameter of the Ag nanoparticles after the heat treatment was 5.9 nm and this value increased slightly to 6.3 nm after UV irradiation. It was found that most of the Ag⁺ ions were reduced by the simple heat treatment. The PVA nanofibers containing Ag nanoparticles showed very strong antimicrobial activity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2468–2474, 2006     

Biomimetic synthesis of the arachidic acid/Ag<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cd<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>S nanocomposite films

Ag _x Cd _y S nanoparticles were obtained in arachidic acid (AA) monolayer containing Ag⁺ and Cd²⁺ under H₂S flow. The AA/Ag _x Cd _y S monolayers were deposited onto solid substrate to prepare LB films. The UV-vis spectrum showed that the LB film exhibited notable quantum-size effect. The small-angle X-ray diffraction revealed periodic structure of the LB films. The molar ratio of Ag to Cd in AA/Ag _x Cd _y S film was ca. 1 : 5 as measured by the XPS. TEM and FTIR spectroscopy showed that the head-groups of arachidic acid molecules controlled formation of Ag _x Cd _y S nanoparticles in the monolayer.     

反应性模板法合成硫化银中空球-银纳米粒子异质结构

以Cu₂S中空球为反应性模板, 通过在水溶液中与银离子的阳离子交换和氧化还原反应制备了大小均匀的Ag₂S中空球-Ag纳米粒子异质结构, 即Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球. 该异质结构中每个Ag₂S中空球的直径约为600 nm, 壁厚约20–30 nm, 其表面均附着一个Ag纳米粒子. 采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和能量色散X射线谱(EDS)对所得Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球的结构和组成进行了表征. 若以CuS中空球为反应性模板, 在相似转化条件下则主要得到不含Ag粒子的Ag₂S中空球. 该结果表明, Cu₂S中的Cu(I)的还原性在Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球的形成中发挥了重要作用. 通过对所制备的Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球进行二次生长, 还可以得到Ag₂S中空球的半球表面均被Ag膜所包覆的Ag₂S-Ag异质中空球.     

Effect of Glass Substrates on the Formation of Gold-Silver Colloids in Nanocomposite Thin Films

A sol-gel route to synthesize nanocomposite thin films containing phase separated metal colloids of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) was developed. Ag—Au colloids were prepared in silica films using dip coating technique. The annealing of the samples in air results in the formation of phase separated Ag and Au colloids in SiO₂ thin films, showing the surface plasmon peaks at 410 nm and 528 nm. For the synthesis of phase separated Ag and Au colloids on float glass substrates, formation of the silver colloids was found strongly dependent on the surface of the float glass. On the tin rich surface formation of both gold and silver colloids took place, whereas, on the tin poor surface the formation of only gold colloids was observed. The surface dependence of the formation of silver colloids was attributed to the presence of tin as Sn²⁺ state on the glass surface, which oxidizes into Sn⁴⁺ during heat treatment, reducing Ag⁺ into silver colloids.     

Thiolate‐Mediated Photoinduced Synthesis of Ultrafine Ag2S Quantum Dots from Silver Nanoparticles

Photoinduced syntheses offer significant advantages over conventional thermal strategies, including improved control over reaction kinetics and low synthesis temperatures, affording nanoparticles with nontrivial and thermodynamically unstable structures. However, the photoinduced syntheses of non‐metallic nanocrystalline products (such as metal sulfides) have not yet been reported. Herein, we demonstrate the first photoinduced synthesis of ultrafine (sub‐2 nm) Ag₂S quantum dots (QDs) from Ag nanoparticles at 10 °C. By thorough investigation of the mechanism for the transformation, a fundamental link was established between the intrinsic structures of the molecular intermediates and the final Ag₂S products. Our results confirm the viability of low‐temperature photochemical approaches in metal sulfide synthesis, and demonstrate a new rule which could be followed in it.     

Electrochemical behavior of silver thin films interfaced with yttria-stabilized zirconia

Thin silver films (100–800 nm) were deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) on yttria-stabilized zirconia solid electrolyte. The electric percolation as a function of the film thickness was studied during deposition and annealing using a two-electrode in-situ resistance measurement technique. Electrical percolation was achieved in as-deposited films greater than 5.4?±?0.4 nm; however, thermal treatment (550 °C in air) resulted in film dewetting for Ag films as thick as 500 nm and formation of electronically isolated Ag nanoparticles, as was confirmed by SEM and XPS. In thermally treated samples, stable electronic conductivity associated with a continuous percolated network was only observed in samples greater than 600 nm in thickness. The effect of polarization on the electrochemical reactions at the three-phase (electrode-gas-electrolyte) and two-phase (electrode-electrolyte) boundaries of the electrode was investigated by solid electrolyte cyclic voltammetry (SECV) at 350 °C and P _O2?=?6 kPa. With the application of positive potential, silver oxide (Ag₂O) was found to form along the three-phase boundary and then extends within the bulk of the electrode with increasing anodic potentials. By changing the hold time at positive potential, passivating oxide layers are formed which results in a shift in favor of the oxygen evolution reaction at the working electrode. This oxide forms according to a logarithmic rate expression with thick oxides being associated with decrease in current efficiency for subsequent oxide formation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> XPS study of the size effect in the interaction of NO with the surface of the model Ag/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/FeCrAl catalysts

The interaction of NO with the surface of model Ag/Al₂O₃/FeCrAl catalysts containing Ag nanoparticles of different size (1 and 3 nm) was studied. The use of the Auger parameter α_Ag (E _b(Ag3d_5/2) + E _kin(Ag MVV)) made it possible to reliably identify the change in the chemical state of silver cluster upon their interaction with О₂ and NO. The oxygen treatment leads to the oxidation of small Ag nanoparticles (1 nm) and formation of AgO _x clusters resulted in the intensive formation of nitrite—nitrate structures on the step of the interaction with NO. These structures are localized on both the silver clusters and Al₂O₃ surface. An increase in the size of Ag⁰ nanoparticles to 3 nm results in an increase in the stability of these structures and impedes the Ag⁰ → AgO _x transition, due to which the formation of surface groups NO₂ ^–/NO₃ ^– is suppressed. The data obtained make it possible to explain the dependence of the activity of the Ag/Al₂O₃ catalysts in the selective reduction of NO on the Ag nanoparticle size.