A new allotropic structure of silver nanocrystals nucleated and grown over planar polymer molecules

作者:Ram S*; Gautam A; Fecht H J; Cai J; Bansmann J; Behm R J
来源:Philosophical Magazine Letters, 2007, 87(5): 361-372.
DOI:10.1080/09500830701191401

摘要

Polymer molecules of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) serve as a good Ag(+) -> Ag(0) reducer as well as a template to produce Ag(0) nanocrystals of anisotropic shapes. Thin Ag - PVA films ( 50 - 100 mu m thick) were prepared by carrying out the reaction in aqueous PVA ( under heating conditions) and then spin casting the sample in this shape. A topotactic Ag(+) -> Ag(0) reaction and in-situ Ag(0) growth occur in support over the PVA molecules ( as per the local structure and Ag(0) - PVA interactions) of elongated surfaces. The Ag(0) state is confirmed with 3d(5/2) and 3d(3/2) XPS signals of 368.37 and 374.13 eV binding energies, respectively. As analyzed with X-ray diffraction, it is a new allotrope with an orthorhombic structure, lattice parameters a = 0.8535, b = 0.8410 nm and c = 0.4119 nm, and density rho = 9.69 g cm(-3). On heating in air, the well-known cubic structure develops, a = 0.4082 nm (rho = 10.53 g cm(-3)) after 150 degrees C, whereas a = 0.4071 nm (rho = 10.61 g cm(-3)) after 300 degrees C for 2 h. According to proposed models, it is a vacancy-stabilized allotrope, which evolves from multiply twinned particles.

  • 出版日期2007