Formation mechanism of nanostructured Ag films from Ag2O particles using a sonoprocess

Nanostructured Ag films composed of nanoparticles and nanorods can be formed by the ultrasonication of ethanol solutions containing Ag₂O particles. The present work examined the formation process of these films from ethanol solutions by two different agitation methods, including ultrasonication and mechanical stirring. The mass-transfer process from Ag₂O particles to ethanol solvent is accelerated by the mechanical effects of ultrasound. Ag⁺ ions and intermediately reduced Ag clusters were released into the ethanol. These Ag⁺ ions and Ag clusters provide absorption bands at 210, 275 and 300 nm in UV-vis spectra. These bands were assigned to the absorption of Ag⁺, Ag ₄ ²⁺ and Ag_n (n?≈?3). The Ag_n clusters that readily grow to become Ag nanoparticles were formed due to the surface reaction of Ag₂O particles with ethanol under ultrasonication. The reactions of Ag⁺ ions in ethanol to form Ag nanomaterials (through the formation of Ag ₄ ²⁺ clusters) were also accelerated by ultrasonication.     

Mechanism of silver nucleation upon the radiation-induced reduction of its ions in polyphosphate-containing aqueous solutions

Long-lived (hours to days) silver clusters, Ag ₄ ²⁺ , Ag ₄ ⁺ , Ag ₈ ²⁺ , etc., are formed upon the radiation-induced reduction of Ag⁺ ions in aqueous solutions containing sodium polyphosphate. The efficiency of the cluster formation decreases and the stability of the clusters increase with a rise in the concentration of the polymeric stabilizer. In the course of the aggregation of clusters, their sizes increase, quasi-metallic particles emerge, and the process terminates with the formation of silver nanoparticles. The mechanism of silver nucleation upon the radiation-induced reduction of silver ions in aqueous solutions is discussed.     

Optical and ESR studies of silver clusters

The optical and ESR spectra of Ag(O), Ag₂⁺ and Ag₄³⁺ centres formed in γ-irradiated aqueous and ethanol glasses have been monitored under identical conditions. The ESR spectra of the Ag(O) centres sugest that they initially retain the solvation of the parent Ag⁺ ions but that solvent molecules are gradually lost on annealing. This loss is reflected in marked high-frequency shifts in the electronic transitions. An intense band observed in the range 265–290 nm grew in simultaneously. This is assigned to Ag₂³⁺ ions. These have a well characterised ESR spectrum, but have not previously been studied optically.     

Ammonia in the ion source. II. Clustering with aromatic nitro compounds

Under positive ion chemical ionization conditions with ammonla at relatively low pressure, aromatic nitro compounds do not form [M + H]⁺ ions but often form ionic clusters [M + NH₄]⁺ and [M + N₂H₇]⁺. Nitrobenzene forms a cluster [2M + NH₄]⁺ and aniline, formed by nucleophilic substitution, leads to a cluster [anilinium ion + nitrobenzene]⁺. The dinitrobenzenes form [M + NH₄]⁺ clusters and show evidence of nitroaniline formation and clustering. 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene gives little indication of clustering or of substitution. The six isomers of trinitrotoluene appear to be stabilized by the methyl group and form clusters up to [M + N₃H₁₀]⁺. Nucleophilic substitution leads to dinitrotoluidines, which also form clusters with ammonium ions.     

Ag Clusters as Active Species for HC-SCR Over Ag-Zeolites

The addition of hydrogen in the reaction atmosphere is effective in promoting the activity of Ag/alumina and Ag-zeolites on the selective reduction of NO by hydrocarbons (HC-SCR) at low temperatures. The increment of NO conversion over Ag-MFI corresponds to the periodic addition of hydrogen into C₃H₈-SCR conditions. The UV–VIS spectra of Ag-MFI have revealed that the addition of hydrogen results in the formation of Ag_n^δ+ clusters due to partial reduction and agglomeration of Ag species. The coincidence of the formation of the Ag_n^δ+ clusters and the increment of NO conversion suggests that Ag_n^δ+ clusters are the highly active species for HC-SCR. From analysis by H₂-TPR, UV–VIS, and EXAFS, the structure of Ag_n^δ+ clusters on Ag-MFI is identified as being Ag₄²⁺ on average. The formation of Ag clusters was strongly affected by the type of zeolites: The major Ag species are Ag⁺ ions for MOR, Ag_n^δ+ clusters for MFI and BEA, and relatively large metallic Ag_mparticles for Y. The sequence of Ag agglomeration (MOR < MFI < BEA < Y) is in accordance with the strength of the acid sites of zeolites. It can be expected that the interaction between the positive charge of Ag_n^δ+ clusters and acid sites, i.e., the ion-exchange site of zeolites, stabilizes Ag_n^δ+ clusters. The type of Ag species under HC-SCR conditions depends on the concentration of gas-phase oxidants (NO, O₂) and reductants (H₂, HC), and also on the number and strength of the zeolite acid sites.     

Reactivity Control of C?H Bond Activation over Vanadium–Silver Bimetallic Oxide Cluster Cations

Vanadium–silver bimetallic oxide cluster ions (V_xAg_yO_z⁺; x=1–4, y=1–4, z=3–11) are produced by laser ablation and reacted with ethane in a fast‐flow reactor. A reflectron time of flight (Re‐TOF) mass spectrometer is used to detect the cluster distribution before and after the reactions. Hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) reactions are identified over VAgO₃⁺, V₂Ag₂O₆⁺, V₂Ag₄O₇⁺, V₃AgO₈⁺, V₃Ag₃O₉⁺, and V₄Ag₂O₁₁⁺ ions, in which the oxygen‐centered radicals terminally bonded on V atoms are active sites for the facile HAA reactions. DFT calculations are performed to study the structures, bonding, and reactivity. The reaction mechanisms of V₂Ag₂O₆⁺+C₂H₆ are also given. The doped Ag atoms with a valence state of +1 are highly dispersed at the periphery of the V_xAg_yO_z⁺ cluster ions. The reactivity can be well‐tuned gradually by controlling the number of Ag atoms. The steric protection due to the peripherally bonded Ag atoms greatly enhances the selectivity of the V–Ag bimetallic oxide clusters with respect to the corresponding pure vanadium oxide systems.     

Potentiometric investigation of the silver(I) complexes of a series of sulphur-containing α,ω-diamines

The composition and the stability constants of the complexes formed between Ag(I) and ligands of the type where n,m = 2,2; 2,3; 2,4; 3,3; 3,4; 4,4, have been determined by a pH/pM-metric method at 25°C in a 0.5 M (K)NO₃ medium. The determination of the stability constants proceeded by a combination of a graphical method and a least squares minimization procedure. The complex formation is discussed in comparison with silver complexes formed with S-containing mono-amines and in terms of the Taft σ*-parameters for the substituents. Below pH = 4, the protonated complexes AgLH₂³⁺ and AgL₂H₄⁵⁺ are formed and the thioethergroup is the only coordinating centre. In neutral and alkaline medium there was evidence for the species AgLH²⁺, Ag₂L₂H₂⁴⁺, Ag₂L₂H³⁺, Ag₂L₂²⁺, AgL₂H₃⁴⁺, AgL₂H²⁺, AgL₂ + and Ag₂L²⁺ in which Ag⁺? S and Ag⁺? NH₂ bonds are involved. It is shown that in the Ag₂L₂²⁺ and Ag₂L²⁺ complexes the ligands effectively coordinate through all available donor centres.     

Time‐Resolved Assembly of Cluster‐in‐Cluster {Ag12}‐in‐{W76} Polyoxometalates under Supramolecular Control

We report the time‐resolved supramolecular assembly of a series of nanoscale polyoxometalate clusters (from the same one‐pot reaction) of the form: [H_(10+m)Ag₁₈Cl(Te₃W₃₈O₁₃₄)₂]_n, where n=1 and m=0 for compound 1 (after 4 days), n=2 and m=3 for compound 2 (after 10 days), and n=∞ and m=5 for compound 3 (after 14 days). The reaction is based upon the self‐organization of two {Te₃W₃₈} units around a single chloride template and the formation of a {Ag₁₂} cluster, giving a {Ag₁₂}‐in‐{W₇₆} cluster‐in‐cluster in compound 1 , which further aggregates to cluster compounds 2 and 3 by supramolecular Ag‐POM interactions. The proposed mechanism for the formation of the clusters has been studied by ESI‐MS. Further, control experiments demonstrate the crucial role that TeO₃^2?, Cl^?, and Ag⁺ play in the self‐assembly of compounds 1 – 3 .     

Controlling the Reactivity of the [P8W48O184]40− Inorganic Ring and Its Assembly into POMZite Inorganic Frameworks with Silver Ions

The construction of pure‐inorganic framework materials with well‐defined design rules and building blocks is challenging. In this work, we show how a polyoxometalate cluster with an integrated pore, based on [P₈W₄₈O₁₈₄]^40? (abbreviated as {P₈W₄₈}), can be self‐assembled into inorganic frameworks using silver ions, which both enable reactions on the cluster as well as link them together. The {P₈W₄₈} was found to be highly reactive with silver ions resulting in the in situ generation of fragments, forming {P₉W₆₃O₂₃₅} and {P₁₀W₆₆O₂₅₁} in compound ( 1 ) where these two clusters co‐crystallize and are connected into a POMZite framework with 11 Ag⁺ ions as linkers located inside clusters and 10 Ag⁺ linking ions situated between clusters. Decreasing both the concentration of Ag⁺ ions, and the reaction temperature compared to the synthesis of compound ( 1 ), leads to {P₈W₅₁O₁₉₆} in compound 2 where the {P₈W₄₈} clusters are linked to form a new POMZite framework with 9 Ag⁺ ions per formula unit. Further tuning of the reaction conditions yields a cubic porous network compound ( 3 ) where {P₈W₄₈} clusters as cubic sides are joined by 4 Ag⁺ ions to give a cubic array and no Ag⁺ ions were found inside the clusters.     

Heterometallation of Photoluminescent Silver(I) Sulfide Nanoclusters Protected by Octahedral Iridium(III) Thiolates

The recently-increasing interest in coinage metal clusters stems from their photophysical properties, which are controlled via heterometallation. Herein, we report homometallic Ag^I₄₆S₁₃ clusters protected by octahedral fac-[Ir(aet)₃] (aet=2-aminoethanethiolate) molecules and their conversion to heterometallic Ag^I₄₃M^I₃S₁₃ (M=Cu, Au) clusters. The reactions of fac-[Ir(aet)₃] with Ag⁺ and penicillamine produced [Ag₄₆S₁₃{Ir(aet)₃}₁₄]²⁰⁺ ([ 1 ]²⁰⁺), where a spherical Ag^I₄₆S₁₃ cluster is covered by fac-[Ir(aet)₃] octahedra through thiolato bridges. [ 1 ]²⁰⁺ was converted to [Ag₄₃M₃S₁₃{Ir(aet)₃}₁₄]²⁰⁺ ([ 1^M ]²⁰⁺) with an Ag^I₄₃M^I₃S₁₃ cluster by treatment with M⁺, retaining its overall structure. [ 1 ]²⁰⁺ was photoluminescent and had an emission band ca. 690 nm that originated from an S-to-Ag charge transfer. While [ 1^Cu ]²⁰⁺ showed an emission band with a slightly higher energy of ca. 650 nm and a lower quantum yield, the emission band for [ 1^Au ]²⁰⁺ shifted to a much higher energy of ca. 590 nm with an enhanced quantum yield.     

Photochemical properties of Ag ion clusters included within ZSM-5 zeolites prepared by an ion-exchange method

Photoluminescence investigations of the Ag ion-exchanged ZSM-5 (Ag⁺ /ZSM-5) zeolite revealed that a Ag ion cluster (Agⁿ _m ⁺) exists in the pore structure of ZSM-5 exhibiting photoluminesm cence at 380 nm upon excitation at 332 nm. UV irradiation ( = 285 nm) of Ag⁺ /ZSM-5 at 77 K leads to the transformation of Agⁿ _m ⁺ into a different Ag ion cluster (Ag_m ^(n-1)+) which exhibits photoluminescence at 465 nm upon excitation at 315 nm. This photo-transformation of the Ag ion clusters was found to be thermally reversible under vacuum. It was demonstrated that an electron transfer from the photo-excited Al³⁺ -O^2- to Agⁿ _m ⁺ plays a significant role in this process. In the presence of oxygen, UV irradiation of Ag⁺ /ZSM-5 leads to the formation of O₂- instead of an Ag ion cluster (Ag_m ^(n-1)+), suggesting that oxygen acts as an efficient electron scavenger, which interferes with the electron capture of Agⁿ _m ⁺ under UV irradiation at 285 nm.     

Altering Charges on Heterobimetallic Transition-Metal Carbonyl Clusters

The homoleptic group 5 carbonylates [M(CO)₆]⁻ (M=Nb, Ta) serve as ligands in carbonyl-terminated heterobimetallic Ag_mM_n clusters containing 3 to 11 metal atoms. Based on our serendipitous [Ag₆{Nb(CO)₆}₄]²⁺ ( 4 a ²⁺) precedent, we established access to such Ag_mM_n clusters of the composition [Ag_m{M(CO)₆}_n]^x (M=Nb, Ta; m=1, 2, 6; n=2, 3, 4, 5; x=1−, 1+, 2+). Salts of those molecular cluster ions were synthesized by the reaction of [NEt₄][M(CO)₆] and Ag[Al(OR^F)₄] (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) in the correct stoichiometry in 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobenzene at −35 °C. The solid-state structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods and, owing to the thermal instability of the clusters, a limited scope of spectroscopic methods. In addition, DFT-based AIM calculations were performed to provide an understanding of the bonding within these clusters. Apparently, the clusters 3 ⁺ (m=6, n=5) and 4 ²⁺ (m=6, n=4) are superatom complexes with trigonal-prismatic or octahedral Ag₆ superatom cores. The [M(CO)₆]⁻ ions then bind through three CO units as tridentate chelate ligands to the superatom core, giving overall structures related to tetrahedral AX₄ ( 4 ²⁺) or trigonal bipyramidal AX₅ molecules ( 3 ⁺).     

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles supported on silica aerogel using gamma radiolysis

Silver clusters on SiO₂ support have been synthesized using ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation. The irradiation of Ag⁺ in aqueous suspension of SiO₂ in the presence of 0.2 mol dm⁻³ isopropanol resulted in the formation of yellow suspension. The absorption spectrum showed a band at 408 nm corresponding to typical characteristic surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles. The effect of Ag⁺ concentration on the formation of Ag cluster indicated that the size of Ag clusters vary with Ag⁺ concentration, which was varied from 4×10⁻⁴ to 5×10⁻³ mol dm⁻³. The results showed that Ag clusters are stable in the pH range of 2–9 and start agglomerating in the alkaline region at pH above 9. The effect of radiation dose rate and ratio of Ag⁺/SiO₂ on the formation of Ag clusters have also been investigated. The prepared clusters have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed the particle size of Ag clusters to be in the range of 10–20 nm.     

Low-energy decay pathways of doubly charged charged silver clusters Ag n 2+ n = 9–24)

The low-energy dissociation channels of mass selected silver cluster ions Ag _n ²⁺ (n = 9–24) are determined by collision induced dissociation (CID) in a Penning trap. While all clusters of the size n ≥ 17 evaporate neutral monomers, most smaller clusters undergo asymmetric fission of the form Ag _n ²⁺ → Ag _n?3 ⁺ + Ag _{3} ⁺ . However, Ag ₁₅ ²⁺ and Ag ₁₁ ²⁺ emit monomers which indicates shell or odd-even effects. The observed fragmentation pathways are different from previous reports of measurements with sputtered Ag _n ²⁺ .     

Disc-Like Silver Nanocluster Ag93 Built with Bicapped Hexagonal Prismatic Ag15 and Ino Decahedral Ag13 Units

The reduction of alkynyl-silver and phosphine-silver precursors with a weak reducing reagent Ph₂SiH₂ led to the formation of a novel silver nanocluster [Ag₉₃(PPh₃)₆(C≡CR)₅₀]³⁺ (R=4-CH₃OC₆H₄), which is the largest structurally characterized cluster of clusters. This disc-shaped cluster has a Ag₆₉ kernel consisting of a bicapped hexagonal prismatic Ag₁₅ unit wrapped by six Ino decahedra through edge-sharing. This is the first time that Ino decahedra are used as a building block to assemble a cluster of clusters. Moreover, the central silver atom has a coordination number of 14, which is the highest in metal nanoclusters. This work provides a diverse metal packing pattern in metal nanoclusters, which is helpful for understanding metal cluster assembling mechanisms.     

Gas-phase cluster cations generated by direct laser ablation on AgBr/S mixture

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Doping Sumanene with Both Chalcogens and Phosphorus(V): One‐Step Synthesis,Coordination, and Selective Response Toward AgI

Heterasumanenes 4 – 6 containing chalcogen (S, Se, and Te) and phosphorus atoms have been synthesized in a one‐pot reaction from trichalcogenasumanenes 1 – 3 by replacing one chalcogen atom with a P=S unit. The P=S unit makes 4 – 6 almost planar and shrinks the HOMO–LUMO gap as compared to 1 – 3 . The bonding between Ag⁺ and S atom on P=S brings about a distinct change to the optical properties of 4 – 6 ; 4 in particular shows a selective fluorescence response toward Ag⁺ with LOD of 0.21 μm . Compounds 4 – 6 form complexes with AgNO₃ to be ( 4 )₂?AgNO₃, ( 5 )₂?AgNO₃, and ( 6 )₂?(AgNO₃)₃. In complexes, the coordination between Ag⁺ and P=S is observed, which leads to shrinkage of C?P and C?X (X=S, Se, Te) bond lengths. As a result, 4 , 5 , and 6 are all bowl‐shaped in complexes with bowl‐depths reaching to 0.66 Å, 0.42 Å, and 0.40 Å, respectively. There are Ag?Te dative bonds between Ag⁺ and Te atom on telluorophene in ( 6 )₂?(AgNO₃)₃.     

Doping Sumanene with Both Chalcogens and Phosphorus(V): One‐Step Synthesis,Coordination, and Selective Response Toward AgI

Heterasumanenes 4 – 6 containing chalcogen (S, Se, and Te) and phosphorus atoms have been synthesized in a one‐pot reaction from trichalcogenasumanenes 1 – 3 by replacing one chalcogen atom with a P=S unit. The P=S unit makes 4 – 6 almost planar and shrinks the HOMO–LUMO gap as compared to 1 – 3 . The bonding between Ag⁺ and S atom on P=S brings about a distinct change to the optical properties of 4 – 6 ; 4 in particular shows a selective fluorescence response toward Ag⁺ with LOD of 0.21 μm . Compounds 4 – 6 form complexes with AgNO₃ to be ( 4 )₂?AgNO₃, ( 5 )₂?AgNO₃, and ( 6 )₂?(AgNO₃)₃. In complexes, the coordination between Ag⁺ and P=S is observed, which leads to shrinkage of C?P and C?X (X=S, Se, Te) bond lengths. As a result, 4 , 5 , and 6 are all bowl‐shaped in complexes with bowl‐depths reaching to 0.66 Å, 0.42 Å, and 0.40 Å, respectively. There are Ag?Te dative bonds between Ag⁺ and Te atom on telluorophene in ( 6 )₂?(AgNO₃)₃.     

Novel metal cluster complexes synthesized by matrix deposition of mass-selected clusters

Metal complexes produced by depositing size selected Fe and Ag cluster cations in N₂ and O₂ matrices respectively are studied by infrared spectroscopy. Unknown species such as Fe(N₂)x, Fe₃ (N₂)x and Ag₃(O₂)x are observed. The IR spectra of Ag⁺, Ag ₂ ⁺ and Ag ₉ ⁺ in excess O₂ indicate that no complexes involving molecular oxygen are formed. However, the strong silver cluster UV-visible absorptions detected in Ar matrices disappear in the oxygen matrices, suggesting that silver-oxygen complexes are formed with dissociated oxygen.     

Effect of irradiation on photoluminescence and optical absorption spectra of Li2B4O7:Mn and Li2B4O7:Ag single crystals

Effects induced by high-dose irradiation on manganese- and silver-doped Li₂B₄O₇ (lithium tetraborate, LTB) single crystals were monitored by photoluminescence and optical absorption spectroscopy. High-dose (1.0×10³ and 1.2×10⁴ Gy) irradiation of the samples was performed using high-energy, short-time (4 MeV, 2.6 μs) electron pulses of a linear electron accelerator. Changes in the oxidation states of dopants were revealed. Recharging of manganese Mn²⁺→Mn³⁺ and Ag⁺→Ag⁰ were observed. Ionization process Mn²⁺→Mn³⁺+e⁻ and creation of Ag⁰-nanoparticles are supposed.