Silver magnesium molybdate and silver cobalt molybdate: Synthesis and ionic conductivity

Impedance spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and electron microscopy are used to study silver magnesium and silver cobalt molybdates of composition Ag₂A ₂ ^II (MoO₄)₃ (A = Mg, Co) and the products of their aliovalent doping by scandium(III) and vanadium(V). The double molybdates have high ionic conductivities at temperatures above 600 K. A partial aliovalent substitution of scandium for magnesium or vanadium for molybdenum increases the ionic conductivity of the molybdates below 473 K. The defect mobility and the enthalpy of defect formation in the Ag₂Mg₂(MoO₄)₃ structure are estimated proceeding from the experimental data.     

具有SPR效应的Ag/Ag2MoO4材料在可见光区的光催化性能研究

作为一类新兴的光催化材料,钼酸盐纳米材料具有高表面能、多活性位点和高选择性等优点,在可见光催化降解污染物方面有着重要应用,近年来受到广泛关注.作为钼酸盐家族重要的一员,钼酸银在杀菌、表面增强拉曼光谱、气敏材料等方面均有重要应用,但其光催化性能却鲜见报道.这是由于它的光谱响应范围窄和广生载流子分离效率低所致.虽然近来有少量基于钼酸银的复合材料的光催化研究,但催化效果不佳.众所周知,作为自由电子体系,诸多金属纳米粒子,如贵金属、碱金属等,存在表面等离子体共振效应(SPR),使得贵金属,特别是Ag,Au等纳米粒子在可见区域有较强的吸收.利用这一特性,Awazu等将Ag纳米颗粒沉积在TiO2表面,创造性地将SPR应用于光催化反应,开发出在可见光谱区具有宽光谱吸收特征的Ag/TiO2.随后陆续合成出基于SPR效应的Ag@AgCl,Ag/Ag3PO4材料均具有良好的光催化性能.基于此,本文在十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)的存在下,采用水热法一步合成了具有SPR效应的Ag/Ag2MoO4可见光催化材料,并利用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、紫外可见漫反射(DRS)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等技术对材料进行了表征.系统地探讨了体系pH值、反应时间、表面活性剂用量对产物的晶相和微观形貌等的影响.此外,还利用罗丹明B降解实验考察了上述合成条件对材料可见光催化活性的影响,并通过捕获剂实验深入地研究了起催化作用的活性物种.XRD结果表明,体系的pH值对材料的晶型有极大影响,随着pH由酸性变至中性、碱性,最终得到的钼酸银也由Ag2Mo2O7过渡到Ag2MoO4.SEM图显示在最优条件(pH为7,加入0.5 g SDS,160oC下水热14 h)下制得的钼酸银为八面体的Ag2MoO4,且其表面均匀地分布着Ag纳米颗粒,与XPS图谱结果一致.另外表面活性剂SDS的用量对所合成材料的形貌影响很大.本文可一步得到以八面体Ag2MoO4为主的Ag/Ag2MoO4复合材料,是因为SDS的疏水长链可以诱导Ag2MoO4的各向异性生长.DRS结果表明,Ag2MoO4八面体上Ag颗粒的引入使其在可见光区的吸收明显加强,因而它在可见光下催化降解罗丹明B降解反应活性增加.捕获剂实验结果表明,起决定性作用的活性物种是光生空穴,另外?OH也起了一定作用.     

Development kinetics of silver clusters on silver halides

Silver nuclei are produced by pulse radiolysis at the surface of AgCl nanocrystallites in the presence of an electron donor, the methyl viologen, which induces the growth of silver nuclei. The experimental results observed on the increase of the silver atom concentration and on the decay of the donor concentration during this process, which is similar to the photographic development by an electron donor, are compared with the kinetics obtained from numerical simulation. The model assumes that the formation of silver clusters with a supercritical nuclearity is required before the start of an electron transfer reaction from the two reduced forms of the donor methyl viologen to the silver clusters. The reaction is controlled by the access of the donor to the surface sites of the AgCl crystallite. The rate constant values of the successive steps of the mechanism are derived from the adjustment of calculated kinetics to experimental signals under various conditions, using a single set of parameters which are fairly suitable under all conditions studied.     

T-symmetric 40-nucleus silver clusters assembled by hetero-anions

We report two anion-templated Ag₄₀ clusters, [Ag₄₀(E)₄(SO₄){S₂P(OEt)₂}₂₄](PF₆)₆ (E = S, 1 ; Se, 2 ). The anionic templates were generated in situ from the decomposition of dithiophosphate (dtp) ligands. The extrusion of sulfur undergoes disproportionation reactions to generate sulfide and sulfate anions, which provide the source of templates in the subsequent cluster assembly reactions. Two Ag₄₀ clusters display high similarity in their structures. The sulfide (selenide) anions and the central sulfate anion reveal a six-coordinate and a rare dodecametallic dodecaconnective pattern, respectively. Four near-equivalent [Ag₁₀(E){S₂P(OEt)₂}₆]²⁺ motifs were assembled via the connection of central sulfate anion to construct Ag₄₀ clusters. The cluster cation, [Ag₄₀(E)₄(SO₄){S₂P(OEt)₂}₂₄]⁶⁺, displayed in T symmetry, is unprecedented in anion-templated silver clusters.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of silver clusters

A comparison of x-ray photoemission from Ag clusters deposited on polygraphite and highly oriented pyrolitic graphite shows the influence of the support both on the valence band and on the core 3d level of the metal. Positive shifts have been obtained with respect to the bulk for the Fermi edge and the 3d peaks depending on the number of silver atoms deposited on the substrates. When the deposition is very small (cluster regime) the positive shifts of the binding energies are quite different for different substrates and cannot have a common origin. In contrast with recent work, we show that several effects contribute to these shifts: initial state effects like charge redistribution as well as final state effects like the hole-electron interaction.     

Extreme ionization of Xe clusters driven by ultraintense laser fields

We applied theoretical models and molecular dynamics simulations to explore extreme multielectron ionization in Xe(n) clusters (n=2-2171, initial cluster radius R(0)=2.16-31.0 A) driven by ultraintense infrared Gaussian laser fields (peak intensity I(M)=10(15)-10(20) W cm(-2), temporal pulse length tau=10-100 fs, and frequency nu=0.35 fs(-1)). Cluster compound ionization was described by three processes of inner ionization, nanoplasma formation, and outer ionization. Inner ionization gives rise to high ionization levels (with the formation of [Xe(q+)](n) with q=2-36), which are amenable to experimental observation. The cluster size and laser intensity dependence of the inner ionization levels are induced by a superposition of barrier suppression ionization (BSI) and electron impact ionization (EII). The BSI was induced by a composite field involving the laser field and an inner field of the ions and electrons, which manifests ignition enhancement and screening retardation effects. EII was treated using experimental cross sections, with a proper account of sequential impact ionization. At the highest intensities (I(M)=10(18)-10(20) W cm(-2)) inner ionization is dominated by BSI. At lower intensities (I(M)=10(15)-10(16) W cm(-2)), where the nanoplasma is persistent, the EII contribution to the inner ionization yield is substantial. It increases with increasing the cluster size, exerts a marked effect on the increase of the [Xe(q+)](n) ionization level, is most pronounced in the cluster center, and manifests a marked increase with increasing the pulse length (i.e., becoming the dominant ionization channel (56%) for Xe(2171) at tau=100 fs). The EII yield and the ionization level enhancement decrease with increasing the laser intensity. The pulse length dependence of the EII yield at I(M)=10(15)-10(16) W cm(-2) establishes an ultraintense laser pulse length control mechanism of extreme ionization products.     

Stabilization of silver clusters by matrices of various chemical nature

Silver clusters having unusual optical and chemical properties and characterized by a band at 320–330 nm, are shown to be stabilized by solid matrices of various chemical nature.

---

, , 320–330 , .

     

Stability of multiply charged silver clusters

Using the gasaggregation technique it is possible to generate metal clusters in narrow size distributions and to vary their mean size by adjusting the cell parameters. The high intensity of this source allows to detect besides singly charged clusters also multiply charged ones. Ag _n ²⁺ and Ag _n ³⁺ are observed forn≧9 andn≧31, respectively; i.e. at values well below the critical sizes reported for spheres.     

Selective synthesis and characterization of single-crystal silver molybdate/tungstate nanowires by a hydrothermal process

Selective synthesis of uniform single crystalline silver molybdate/tungstate nanorods/nanowires in large scale can be easily realized by a facile hydrothermal recrystallization technique. The synthesis is strongly dependent on the pH conditions, temperature, and reaction time. The phase transformation was examined in details. Pure Ag(2)MoO(4) and Ag(6)Mo(10)O(33) can be easily obtained under neutral condition and pH 2, respectively, whereas other mixed phases of Mo(17)O(47), Ag(2)Mo(2)O(7,) Ag(6)Mo(10)O(33) were observed under different pH conditions. Ag(6)Mo(10)O(33) nanowires with uniform diameter 50-60 nm and length up to several hundred micrometers were synthesized in large scale for the first time at 140 degrees C. The melting point of Ag(6)Mo(10)O(33) nanowires were found to be about 238 degrees C. Similarly, Ag(2)WO(4), and Ag(2)W(2)O(7) nanorods/nanowires can be selectively synthesized by controlling pH value. The results demonstrated that this route could be a potential mild way to selectively synthesize various molybdate nanowires with various phases in large scale.     

Nanocomposites based on cationic polyelectrolytes and silver nanoparticles: Synthesis,characterization, molybdate retention and antimicrobial activity

The objective of this work was to synthesize nanocomposites based on cationic polyelectrolytes and silver nanoparticles using poly(N-vinylbenzyl-N-triethylammonium chloride) as polymer phase. For that, a nanostructured crosslinker was synthesized from silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and acrylic acid. Molybdate retention properties of nanocomposites were studied in function of pH and ionic strength. In addition, their antimicrobial properties were evaluated against E. coli and S. aureus. It was evidenced that AgNPs can be stabilized using acrylic acid and that this material can be incorporated to the polymer phase during polymerization by free radical of cationic monomers. The effect of pH on retention of molybdate, by the nanostructured polymer, was significant only to low ionic strength (the order seen was pH 5.0 > pH 7.0 > pH 9.0 for 0.0% NaCl). Results suggest that the main interaction influencing the molybdate retention is electrostatic in nature. Finally, antimicrobial activity was enhanced by incorporation of polymerizable nanostructured crosslinker based on AgNPs.     

Adsorption of small molecules on silver clusters

We report investigations of adsorption of N(2) and O(2) molecules on silver cluster cations. We have first revisited structures of small silver clusters based on first-principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory with hybrid functional. The 2D to 3D transition for the neutral clusters occurs from n = 6 to 7 and for cations, in agreement with experiments, from n = 4 to 5. With the refined structures, adsorption energies of N(2) and O(2) molecules have been calculated. We have identified characteristic drops in the adsorption energies of N(2) that further link our calculations and experiments, and confirm the reported 2D-3D transition for cations. We have found that perturbations caused by physisorbed molecules are small enough that the structures of most Ag clusters remain unchanged, even though physisorption stabilizes the 3D Ag(7)(+) structure slightly more than the 2D counterpart. Results for pure O(2) adsorption indicate that charge transfer from Ag(n)(+) to O(2) occurs when n > 3. Below that size oxygen essentially physisorbes such as nitrogen to the cluster. We interpret the experimentally observed mutually cooperative co-adsorption of oxygen and nitrogen using results from density functional theory with generalized gradient approximations. The key to the enhancement is N(2)-induced increase in charge transfer from Ag(n)(+) cations to O(2).     

Far-infrared spectroscopy of small neutral silver clusters

The vibrational spectra of Ag(3) and Ag(4) are recorded in the far-infrared between 100 and 220 cm(-1) using multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of their complexes with Ar atoms. For Ag(3)-Ar two IR active bands are found at 113 and 183 cm(-1), for Ag(4)-Ar one band at 163 cm(-1) and very weak IR activity at 193 cm(-1) are observed. This, together with recent theoretical studies, allows for a reassignment of the controversial vibrational data reported earlier for the bare Ag(3) cluster. The influence of the number of Ar atoms in the complexes on the frequency of the IR active modes is found to be minor. However, the low-frequency IR-active band of Ag(3) shifts with increasing Ar coverage from 113 cm(-1) for Ag(3)-Ar to about 120 cm(-1) for Ag(3)-Ar(4), the value known for Ag(3) embedded in rare gas matrices.     

Formation of silver clusters in nozzle expansions

The first successful experiments to generate continuum silver cluster beams from nozzle expansions are described. A mixture Ar/Ag expands out of a conical nozzle (0.35 mm dia., 10° cone angle, length 17 mm). At 2150 K, total pressure 300 kPa, silver partial pressure 8 kPa the silver intensity measured with a rate meter 479mm away from the source is 1.8 nm/s, or 0.02 g m^?2s^?1. The data for the onset of clustering confirm the predictions of the scaling laws developed to compare condensation in nozzle expansions of metal vapors with that of rare gases.     

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.     

Synthesis of silver (II) oxide by oxidation of silver or silver oxide by means of ozone

The oxidation by ozone of a suspension of silver or silver oxide in an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide is described. It has been shown that the oxidation proceeds in two steps:Ag^O₃→Ag₂O^O₃→AgO.The experimental results are in good agreement with a mechanism of dissolution and precipitation. The silver (II) oxide obtained has remarkable properties of stability in alkaline solution and of reducibility to metallic silver. These special properties are probably due to the large size of the particles.     

Cooperative effects in the activation of molecular oxygen by anionic silver clusters

A novel size dependence in the adsorption reaction of multiple O2 molecules onto anionic silver clusters Agn- (n = 1-5) is revealed by gas-phase reaction studies in an rf-ion trap. Ab initio theoretical modeling based on DFT method provides insight into the reaction mechanism and finds cooperative electronic and structural effects to be responsible for the size selective reactivity of Agn- clusters toward one or more O2. In particular, Agn- clusters with odd n have paired electrons and therefore bind one O2 only weakly, but they are simultaneously activated to adsorb a strongly bound second oxygen molecule. For the clusters Ag3O4- and Ag5O4-, this cooperative effect results in a superoxo-like, doubly bound O2 subunit with potentially high activity in catalytic silver cluster oxidation processes.     

Long-lived charge-separated states in ligand-stabilized silver clusters

Recently developed synthesis methods allow for the production of atomically monodisperse clusters of silver atoms stabilized in solution by aromatic thiol ligands, which exhibit intense absorption peaks throughout the visible and near-IR spectral regions. Here we investigated the time-dependent optical properties of these clusters. We observed two kinetic processes following ultrafast laser excitation of any of the absorption peaks: a rapid decay, with a time constant of 1 ps or less, and a slow decay, with a time constant that can be longer than 300 ns. Both time constants decrease as the polarity of the solvent increases, indicating that the two processes correspond to the formation and recombination, respectively, of a charge-separated state. The long lifetime of this state and the broad optical absorption spectrum mean that the ligand-stabilized silver clusters are promising materials for solar energy harvesting.     

The role of small silver clusters in photography

Size-selected silver cluster ions have been produced in a mass spectrometer arrangement and have been deposited onto binder-free AgBr microcrystals. Clusters containing less than four silver atoms did not catalyze development (reduction) of the microcrystals. However, application of clusters containing four or more silver atoms rendered the crystals immediately developable in a conventional photographic developer. This for the first time proves directly, that a so-called latent image speck under these conditions of development requires a minimum number of four silver atoms.     

Shell effects on fragmentations of doubly-charged silver clusters

Shell effects are found in the size distributions of fission fragments from doubly-charged silver clusters. The energy differences between parent cluster and sum of a pair of fragmented clusters are calculated for various fission channels using the theory of shell corrections. Oscillative structures observed in the size distribution are shown to be due to shell effects of fragments. It is also found that the cluster deformation due to shell effects produces the even-odd alternation in the size distribution.