Morphology of solid photochemical decomposition products of silver carboxylates

The formation of solid photochemical decomposition products of silver carboxylates with long linear hydrocarbon chains and its variation in the course of reaction was investigated. At the initial stage of photolysis, particles of silver are formed with the overall situation analogous to that in the case of other silver salts. After the degree of decomposition has reached 20%, the formation of a space-ordered structure of solid products in the form of alternating volume lamellae of paraffin and silver is observed. The average distance from one lamella edge to the next lamella edge is dependent upon the length of the methylene chains of silver carboxylates and the intensity of irradiation. The results obtained are discussed from the point of view of possible spinodal character of decomposition of intermediate solid solution paraffin-silver carboxylate.