Comparative Study on Preparation Methods for Transparent Conductive Films Based on Silver Nanowires

Silver nanowires, which have high optoelectronic properties, have the potential to supersede indium tin oxide in the field of electrocatalysis, stretchable electronic, and solar cells. Herein, four mainstream experimental methods, including Mayer–rod coating, spin coating, spray coating, and vacuum filtration methods, are employed to fabricate transparent conductive films based on the same silver nanowires to clarify the significance of preparation methods on the performance of the films. The surface morphology, conductive property, uniformity, and flexible stability of these four Ag NW-based films, are analyzed and compared to explore the advantages of these methods. The transparent conductive films produced by the vacuum filtration method have the most outstanding performance in terms of surface roughness and uniformity, benefitting from the stronger welding of NW-NW junctions after the press procedure. However, limited by the size of the membrane and the vacuum degree of the equipment, the small-size Ag films used in precious devices are appropriate to obtain through this method. Similarly, the spin coating method is suited to prepare Ag NWs films with small sizes, which shows excellent stability after the bending test. In comparison, much larger-size films could be obtained through Mayer-rod coating and spray coating methods. The pull-down speed and force among the Mayer-rod coating process, as well as the spray distance and traveling speed among the spray coating process, are essential to the uniformity of Ag NW films. After being treated with NaBH₄ and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), the obtained Ag NW/PMMA films show great potential in the field of film defogging due to the Joule heating effect. Taken together, based on the advantages of each preparation method, the Ag NW-based films with desired size and performances are easier to prepare, meeting the requirements of different application fields.     

Facile Synthesis of Porous Ag Crystals as SERS Sensor for Detection of Five Methamphetamine Analogs

Porous noble metal nanomaterials have attracted extensive attention due to their high specific surface area and surface plasmon resonance effect. However, it is difficult to form porous structures due to the high mobility and low reduction potential of noble metal precursors. In this article, we developed a facile method for preparing porous Ag with a controllable structure at room temperature. Two kinds of Ag crystals with different porous structures were successfully prepared by using AgCl cubes as sacrificial templates. Through the galvanic replacement reaction of Zn and AgCl, Ag crystals with a sponge-like porous structure were successfully prepared. Additionally, using NaBH₄ as the reducing agent, we prepared granular porous Ag cubes by optimizing the amount of reducing agent. Both the sponge-like and granular porous Ag cubes have clean and accessible surfaces. In addition, we used the prepared two porous Ag cubes as substrate materials for SERS detection of five kinds of methamphetamine analogs. The experimental results show that the enhancement effect of granular porous Ag is better than that of sponge-like porous Ag. Furthermore, we probed the hot spot distribution of granular porous Ag by Raman mapping. By using granular porous Ag as the substrate material, we have achieved trace detection of 5 kinds of methamphetamine analogs including Ephedrine, Amphetamine, N-Methyl-1-(benzofuran-5-yl)propan-2-amine (5-MAPB), N-Methyl-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-amine (PMMA) and N-Methyl-1-(4-fluorophenyl)propan-2-amine (4-FMA). Furthermore, to achieve qualitative differentiation of analogs with similar structures we performed density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations on the Raman spectra of the above analogs. The DFT calculations provided the vibrational frequencies, Raman activities, and normal mode assignment for each analog, enabling the qualitative differentiation of the above analogs.     

Flow Injection Chemiluminescence Method for Nalbuphine Hydrochloride in Pharmaceutical Formulations Using Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) Chloride-diperiodatocuprate(III) Reaction

Asensitive and selective method employing chemiluminescence(CL) coupled with flow injection(FI) is reported for nalbuphine hydrochloride(NAL) assay in pharmaceutical formulations. The enhancement effect of NAL on the CL reaction between tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chloride-diperiodatocuprate(III) {Ru[(bpy)₃]²⁺-Cu(III) complex} in acidic medium is used as analytical measurement. The optimal conditions of the CL reaction were sulfuric acid 1.0×10^-3 mol/L, Ru[(bpy)₃]²⁺ 7.5×10^-5 mol/L, Cu(III)/Ag(III) complexes 4.0×10^-4/5.0×10^-4 mol/L, sample loop volume of 120 μL and flow rate of 2.5 mL/min. The sensitivities of the method in terms of detection(S/N=3) and quantification(S/N=10) limits are 5×10^-4 and 0.001 ppm(1 ppm=1 mg/L), respectively. The linear response of the instrument in the form of CL intensity with respect to NAL concentration is over the range 0.001-15.0 ppm(R²=0.9999) with relative standard deviation from 0.8% to 3.2% and injection throughput of 120 injection/h. The applications of the method include the quantitative analysis of NAL in pharmaceutical injection samples. Variations and the average results of the proposed method are not signi-ficantly different from the results of a reported method by applying F- and paired student t-test. The most likely CL reaction mechanism is written in accordance with spectrophotometric and CL studies.     

A Photoluminescent Ag10Cu6 Cluster Stablized by a PNNP Ligand and Phenylacetylides Selectively and Reversibly Senses Ammonia in Air and Water

A photoluminescent bimetallic cluster [Ag₁₀Cu₆(bdppthi)₂(C≡CPh)₁₂(MeOH)₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₄ ( 1 , bdppthi=N,N’-bis(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)-tetrahydroimidazole} was synthesized from the PNNP type ligand bdppthi generated in-situ. Upon excitation at 365 nm, 1 exhibited strong phosphorescent emission at 630 nm, which was selectively quenched by NH₃ in air or water. The sensing of NH₃ was rapid and recoverable, with detection limits of 53 ppm (v/v) in N₂ and 21 μmol/L (0.36 ppm, w/w) for NH₃ ⋅ H₂O in water. Cluster 1 could potentially serve as a bifunctional chemical sensor for the efficient detection of ammonia in waste-gas and waste-water.     

Silver(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes of bis‐imidazol‐2‐ylidenes having different aromatic‐spacers: synthesis,crystal structure,and in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer studies

A series of Ag(I) complexes ( 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ) derived from imidazol‐2‐ylidenes was synthesized by reacting Ag₂O with an o‐, m‐, p‐xylyl or 1,3,5‐triazine‐linked imidazolium salts ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) and then characterizing these using various spectro‐analytical techniques. Additionally, triazine‐linked bis‐imidazolium salt 5 was characterized using the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method. Complexes 6–9 were formed from the N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand precursors 1–3 as PF₆^‐ salts in good yields. Conversely, salt 5 does not form Ag(I) complex even under various reaction conditions. Using ampicillin as a standard, complexes 6–9 were tested against bacteria strains Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, respectively, showing potent antimicrobial activities against the tested bacteria even at minimum inhibition concentration and bacterial concentration levels. Furthermore, the potential anticancer activities of the reported complexes were evaluated against the human colorectal cancer (HCT 116) cell lines, using 5‐fluorouracil as a standard drug. The highest anticancer activities were observed for complex 8 with an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 μm , whereas the lowest was observed for complex 9 with an IC₅₀ value of 18.1 μm . Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploration of silver decoration concentration to enhance photocatalytic efficiency of titanium dioxide photocatalysts

Ag decoration on TiO₂ is favorable to absorption of visible light and wider absorption range. Ag nanoparticles playing the role of electron receivers on TiO₂ surface enhance photodegradation. However, excess Ag nanoparticles caused reduced specific surface area of photocatalysts and increased probability of charge recombination, resulting in lower photocatalytic efficiency. In this study, the influence of various Ag decoration concentrations on photocatalytic activity was investigated. Surface treatment by nitric acid after Ag decoration was performed to avoid excessive Ag deposition. The extent of Ag elimination and its impacts on photocatalytic activity were also explored. An optimum Ag content in the photocatalyst was achieved and photocatalytic efficiency was obviously improved. It was found that the number of calcination times affected the crystallinity and stability of photocatalysts. Better photocatalytic efficiency could be obtained after twice calcinations.     

Straightforward Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐1‐alkynylphosphonates and Arylpropiolates

A protocol for the direct cross coupling of trialkylsilyl‐alkynes bearing electron‐withdrawing groups and aryl halides using a Pd/Ag catalytic system is described. The procedure allows the straightforward synthesis of a variety of alkynylphosphonates and aryl propiolates derivatives in good yields.     

Environmentally Benign and Efficient Ag2S‐ZnO Nanowires as Photoanodes for Solar Cells: Comparison with CdS‐ZnO Nanowires

In this work, we develop a low‐temperature, facile solution reaction route for the fabrication of quantum‐dot‐sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) containing Ag₂S‐ZnO nanowires (NWs), simultaneously ensuring low manufacturing costs and environmental safety. For comparison, a CdS‐ZnO NW photoanode was also prepared using the layer‐by‐layer growth method. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed type‐II band alignments for the band structures of both photoanodes which facilitate electron transfer/collection. Compared to CdS‐ZnO QDSSCs, Ag₂S‐ZnO QDSSCs exhibit a considerably higher short‐circuit current density (J_sc) and a strongly enhanced light‐harvesting efficiency, but lower open‐circuit voltages (V_oc), resulting in almost the same power‐conversion efficiency of 1.2 %. Through this work, we demonstrate Ag₂S as an efficient quantum‐dot‐sensitizing material that has the potential to replace Cd‐based sensitizers for eco‐friendly applications.     

ZnFe2O4/Ag/TiO2复合材料的制备及其光催化性能

以硝酸银、钛酸四丁酯、无水氯化锌、六水氯化铁为原料,采用溶胶-凝胶法与溶剂热相结合的方法制备了ZnFe₂O₄/Ag/TiO₂复合材料,通过扫描电子显微镜、能谱分析仪、X射线粉末衍射仪、X射线光电子能谱仪、振动样品磁强计、紫外可见分光光度计对样品进行表征及测试。结果表明： ZnFe₂O₄/Ag/TiO₂-10具有最佳的光催化效果,在紫外和可见光下对染料的降解率都能达到90%以上,具有优异的紫外可见光光催化活性。ZnFe₂O₄/Ag/TiO₂具有独特的磁性,能在外部磁场作用下进行回收利用,这使其在实际应用中成为可能。通过磁分离技术重复回收利用5次后仍然保持优良的光催化性能,说明ZnFe₂O₄/Ag/TiO₂-10具有优异的磁性及较高的光催化循环稳定性。     

Promotion effect of adsorbed water/OH on the catalytic performance of Ag/activated carbon catalysts for CO preferential oxidation in excess H2

Activated carbon (AC) supported silver catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method and their catalytic performance for CO preferential oxidation (PROX) in excess H₂ was evaluated. Ag/AC catalysts, after reduction in H₂ at low temperatures (≤200 °C) following heat treatment in He at 200 °C (He200H200), exhibited the best catalytic properties. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) results indicated that silver oxides were produced during heat treatment in He at 200 °C which were reduced to metal silver nanoparticles in H₂ at low temperatures (≤200 °C), simultaneously generating the adsorbed water/OH. CO conversion was enhanced 40% after water treatment following heat treatment in He at 600 °C. These results imply that the metal silver nanoparticles are the active species and the adsorbed water/OH has noticeable promotion effects on CO oxidation. However, the promotion effect is still limited compared to gold catalysts under the similar conditions, which may be the reason of low selectivity to CO oxidation in PROX over silver catalysts. The reported Ag/AC-S-He catalyst after He200H₂00 treatment displayed similar PROX of CO reaction properties to Ag/SiO₂. This means that Ag/AC catalyst is also an efficient low-temperature CO oxidation catalyst.