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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Controlled synthesis of Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4} composites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance for the degradation of RhB and 2, 4-DCP

Highlights: • Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4} composites were synthesized by in-situ precipitation method. • Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4} is more efficient than pure Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} and BiVO{sub 4} for RhB and 2, 4-DCP degradation. • Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4} can act as a high performance and low cost photocatalyst. - Abstract: Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4} composites were fabricated by in-situ precipitation method. Results showed that Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4} composites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than that of pure BiVO{sub 4} and Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} sample under visible light irradiation. The effect of Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}:BiVO{sub 4} ratio on the photocatalytic activity was systemically studied and the optimum molar ratio of Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}:BiVO{sub 4} was 1:5. The Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4}-5 exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B (ca. 92% in 30 min) and 2, 4-dichlorophenol (ca. 84% in 180 min) under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be mainly ascribed to the suitable Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4} heterojunction interface and the smaller particles of Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} compared to pure Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4} particles which could promote the separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs. The Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4} composite can significantly reduce the silver consumption compared to the pure Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}. It is worth noting that Ag{sub 3}PO{sub 4}/BiVO{sub 4} composite can act as a high performance and low cost visible-light-driven photocatalyst for environmental remediation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Size-Dependent Adsorption and Adhesion Energetics of Ag Nanoparticles on Graphene Films on Ni(111) by Calorimetry

Interest in the use of carbon supports for late transition metal nanoparticle catalysts has expanded rapidly due to the increasing importance of electrocatalysts for clean energy and environmental technologies and the use and storage of renewable electricity. Compared to oxide supports, almost nothing is known about the effect of metal nanoparticle size on the energies of the metal atoms within carbon-supported nanoparticles, yet these energies are crucial for understanding their surface reactivity and sintering kinetics. Here, the growth morphology and adsorption energetics of vapor-deposited Ag onto clean graphene/Ni(111) surfaces have been studied using a combination of single-crystal adsorption calorimetry (SCAC) and He + low-energy ion scattering (LEIS). The differential heat of Ag adsorption is 207 kJ/mol for making ~30 atom Ag particles on graphene terraces at 100 K and 16 kJ/mol higher for making ~9 atom Ag clusters at defect sites at the same temperature. The heat of adsorption increases rapidly with Ag coverage as 3D Ag nanoparticles nucleate and grow in size, asymptotically reaching within 5 kJ/mol of the bulk Ag sublimation enthalpy (285 kJ/mol) by 2 ML. The heats of adsorption and Ag nanoparticle densities from LEIS (~10 16 /m 2 ) were combined to provide the Ag/graphene adhesion energy (E adh = 1.8 J/m 2 in the large-particle limit) and the Ag chemical potential (μ) versus effective particle diameter (D). The Ag chemical potential was well-fitted by μ(D) = (3γ v /M – E adh )(1 + (1.5 nm)/D)(2V m /D), where γ v /M is the surface energy of bulk Ag and V m is its molar volume. The same equation is known to fit similar data for late transition metals on clean surfaces of metal oxide single crystals. The adhesion energy of Ag measured here on graphene falls within the wide range measured for Ag on those oxide surfaces and is almost as large as on the oxide that binds Ag particles most strongly, namely CeO 2 (111), which is well-known to be very effective at resisting catalyst deactivation by metal sintering. Furthermore, these results imply that carbon supports will be effective at resisting sintering and that Ag particles smaller than 6 nm on graphene will bind small adsorbed reaction intermediates more weakly than supports with weaker adhesion to Ag, like MgO(100).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of Ag addition to L1{sub 0} FePt and L1{sub 0} FePd films grown by molecular beam epitaxy

L1{sub 0} ordered FePt-Ag (5 nm) and FePd-Ag (5 nm) films were grown on MgO (001) substrate at temperatures of 250–400 °C by using molecular beam epitaxy method, and their crystal and surface structures, perpendicular magnetic anisotropies and Curie temperatures were investigated. In the case of FePt-Ag, Ag addition with the amount of 10–20 at. % was effective to promote L1{sub 0} ordering and granular growth, resulting in the increase of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and coercivity of the FePt-Ag films. On the other hand, in the case of FePd-Ag, Ag addition changed the surface morphology from island to continuous film associated with the reductions of its coercivity and perpendicular anisotropy. The variations of lattice constants and Curie temperature with Ag addition were significantly different between FePt-Ag and FePd-Ag. For FePd-Ag, the c and a axes lattice spacings and Curie temperature gradually changed with increasing Ag content, while they unchanged for FePt-Ag. These results suggest the possibility of the formation of FePdAg alloy in FePd-Ag, while Ag segregation in FePt-Ag.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Predicting kinetic nanocrystal shapes through multi-scale theory and simulation: Polyvinylpyrrolidone-mediated growth of Ag nanocrystals

In the shape-controlled synthesis of colloidal Ag nanocrystals, structure-directing agents, particularly polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), are known to be a key additive in making nanostructures with well-defined shapes. Although many Ag nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized using PVP, the mechanism by which PVP actuates shape control remains elusive. Here, we present a multi-scale theoretical framework for kinetic Wulff shape predictions that accounts for the chemical environment, which we used to probe the kinetic influence of the adsorbed PVP film. Within this framework, we use umbrella-sampling molecular dynamics simulations to calculate the potential of mean force and diffusion coefficient profiles of Ag atom deposition onto Ag(100) and Ag(111) in ethylene glycol solution with surface-adsorbed PVP. We use these profiles to calculate the mean-first passage times and implement extensive Brownian dynamics simulations, which allows the kinetic effects to be quantitatively evaluated. Our results show that PVP films can regulate the flux of Ag atoms to be greater towards Ag(111) than Ag(100). PVP’s preferential binding towards Ag(100) over Ag(111) gives PVP its flux-regulating capabilities through the lower free-energy barrier of Ag atoms to cross the lower-density PVP film on Ag(111) and enhanced Ag trapping by the extended PVP film on Ag(111). Under kinetic control, {100}-faceted nanocrystals will be formed when the Ag flux is greater towards Ag(111). Furthermore, the predicted kinetic Wulff shapes are in agreement with the analogous experimental system.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cubic Crystal Structure Formation and Optical Properties within the Ag–B II –M IV –X (B II = Sr, Pb; M IV = Si, Ge, Sn; X = S, Se) Family of Semiconductors

Quaternary chalcogenide semiconductors are promising materials for energy conversion and nonlinear optical applications, with properties tunable primarily by varying the elemental composition and crystal structure. Here, we first analyze the connections among several cubic crystal structure types, as well as the orthorhombic Ag 2 PbGeS 4 -type structure, reported for select members within the Ag–B II –M IV –X (B II = Sr, Pb; M IV = Si, Ge, Sn; X = S, Se) compositional space. Focusing on the Ag–Pb–Si–S and Ag–Sr–Sn–S systems, we show that one structure type, with the formulas Ag 2 Pb 3 Si 2 S 8 and Ag 2 Sr 3 Sn 2 S 8 , is favored. We have prepared powder and single-crystal samples of Ag 2 Pb 3 Si 2 S 8 and Ag 2 Sr 3 Sn 2 S 8 , showing that each takes on the noncentrosymmetric cubic space group I$\bar{43}$d and is isostructural to the previously reported compound Ag 2 Sr 3 Ge 2 Se 8 . Through hybrid density functional theory calculations, these cubic compounds are demonstrated to be (quasi-)direct band gap semiconductors with high densities of states at the band maxima. Furthermore, the band-gap energies are measured by reflectance spectroscopy as 1.95(3) and 2.66(4) eV for Ag 2 Pb 3 Si 2 S 8 and Ag 2 Sr 3 Sn 2 S 8 , respectively. We further measure the optical properties and show the electronic band structures of three other isostructural A I –B II –M IV –X-type materials, i.e., Ag 2 Sr 3 Si 2 S 8 , Ag 2 Sr 3 Ge 2 S 8 , and Ag 2 Sr 3 Ge 2 Se 8 , showing that the band gaps can be predictably tuned by element substitution. Detailed visual analyses of the different structures and of their relationships with other members of the Ag–B II –M IV –X compositional family provide a basis for a broader understanding of the structure formation and optoelectronic properties within the quaternary chalcogenide semiconductor family.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Pd-Ag chronometry of IVA iron meteorites and the crystallization and cooling of a protoplanetary core

To constrain the timescales and processes involved in the crystallization and cooling of protoplanetary cores, we examined the Pd-Ag isotope systematics of the IVA iron meteorites Muonionalusta and Gibeon. A Pd-Ag isochron for Muonionalusta provides an initial 107 Pd/ 108 Pd = (2.57 ± 0.07) × 10 -5 . The three metal samples analyzed from Gibeon plot below the Muonionalusta isochron, but these samples also show significant effects of cosmic ray-induced neutron capture reactions, as is evident from 196 Pt excesses in the Gibeon samples. After correction for neutron capture effects on Ag isotopes, the Gibeon samples plot on the Muonionalusta isochron, indicating that these two IVA irons have indistinguishable initial 107 Pd/ 108 Pd. Collectively, the Pd-Ag data indicate cooling of the IVA core below Pd-Ag closure between 2.9 ± 0.4 Ma and 8.9 ± 0.6 Ma after CAI formation, where this age range reflects uncertainties in the initial 107 Pd/ 108 Pd ratios of the solar system, which in turn result from uncertainties in the Pb-Pb age of Muonionalusta. The Ag isotopic data indicate that the IVA core initially evolved with a modestly elevated Pd/Ag, but the low Ag concentrations measured for some metal samples indicate derivation from a source with much lower Ag contents and, hence, higher Pd/Ag. These contrasting observations can be reconciled if the IVA irons crystallized from an initially more Ag-rich core, followed by extraction of Fe-S melts during compaction of the nearly solidified core. Owing to its strong tendency to partition into Fe-S melts, Ag was removed from the IVA core during compaction, leading to the very low Ag concentration observed in metal samples of IVA irons. Alternatively, Ag was lost by evaporation from a still molten metallic body just prior to the onset of crystallization. The Pd-Ag isotopic data indicate that Muonionalusta cooled at >500 K/Ma through the Pd-Ag closure temperature of ~900 K, consistent with the rapid cooling inferred from metallographic cooling rates for IVA irons. Finally, combined, these observations are consistent with cooling of IVA irons in a metallic body with little or no silicate mantle.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Two new polyoxometalate-based hybrids consisting of Keggin-type cluster modified by (Ag{sub 4}) group

Two new supramolecular polyoxometalate compounds [Ag{sub 2}(mbpy){sub 3}][Ag(mbpy){sub 2}][PW{sub 12}O{sub 40}] (1) and [Ag{sub 2}(mbpy){sub 3}]{sub 2}[SiW{sub 12}O{sub 40}] (2) (mbpy=4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-dipyridyl), have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by IR, TG, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The structural feature of 1–2 is in the cationic moiety of a tetra-core (Ag{sub 4}) cluster through weak Ag…Ag interactions. The silver(I) centers show three-, four- and five-coordinated geometries. In 1 the tetrameric silver atoms in ([Ag{sub 2}(mbpy){sub 3}]{sub 2}){sup 4+} covalently bind to [PW{sub 12}O{sub 40}]{sup 3−} anion via Ag3O bonds, while there is only intermolecular hydrogen bonding between ([Ag{sub 2}(mbpy){sub 3}]{sub 2}){sup 4+} and [SiW{sub 12}O{sub 40}]{sup 4−} in 2. The coordination environments of the tetrameric silver cations have a great influence on the structure richness of the Keggin-based hybrids. The fluorescence properties of compounds 1 and 2 also have been discussed. - Graphical abstract: New polyoxometalate-based hybrids consisting of Keggin-type clusters modified by (Ag{sub 4}) groups had been synthesized and characterized, and their photoluminescence properties were also discussed. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Two Keggin-type polyoxometalates consisting of (Ag{sub 4}) clusters through weak Ag…Ag interactions have been synthesized. • There exist face-to-face and dot-to-face π…π interactions in (Ag-ligand){sub 4} fragment. • The fluorescence properties of (Ag{sub 4}) modified POMs are also discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ag{sup II} doped MIL-101 and its adsorption of iodine with high speed in solution

In order to improve the adsorption speed of iodine from water, MIL-101 with extra-large specific surface area (3054 m{sup 2}/g) was chosen as a base material, and then, Ag was doped into MIL-101 to enhance its adsorption capacity through an incipient-wetness impregnation method. With the characterization of SEM-EDS, TEM, XRD, XPS, TGA, IR, and BET techniques, the resulting Ag was identified to be stay in the framework of MIL-101 stably in the form of Ag{sup II} (generally, Ag{sup II} cation is not stable). However, after the adsorption of I{sup −} anions, Ag{sup II} stay in the cages of MIL-101 in the form of AgI/AgI{sub 3}. It is important to note that, all adsorbents show high adsorption speed of iodine in solution. The equilibrium adsorption time of the adsorbents were acquired by only a few minutes, which can be attributed to its large BET surface area. An interesting note is that, when the doping amount of Ag is less than 9%, the iodine anions adsorption capacity of Ag@MIL-101 is greater than its theoretical adsorption capacity. It shows that both physical adsorption and chemical adsorption are existed in the adsorption process. This study hopefully leads to a new and highly efficient Ag-based adsorbent for iodide adsorb from solutions. - Graphical abstract: Ag{sup II} stay in the framework of MIL-101 stably because of F{sup -}, after the adsorption of I{sup -} anions, Ag{sup I}I /Ag{sup I}I{sub 3} stay in the cages of MIL-101. The equilibrium adsorption time of Ag@MIL-101 were acquired by only a few minutes. - Highlights: • Ag{sup II} was doped into MIL-101 by an incipient-wetness impregnation method. • Both physical adsorption and chemical adsorption are verified in the adsorption process. • Ag@MIL-101 exhibits high adsorption speed and adsorption capacity. • Ag@MIL-101 can be effectively applied to the removal of radioactive iodide anions from water in acidic and neutral medium.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

A construction of Ag-modified raspberry-like AgCl/Ag2WO4 with excellent visible-light photocatalytic property and stability

Highlights: • The Ag-modified raspberry-like AgCl/Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} photocatalysts were prepared by a facile solvent-free method. • Ag and AgCl were easily deposited on the Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} by one-step solid-sate reaction between Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} and HONH{sub 3}Cl. • The morphology of raspberry-like can facilitate the contact of dye molecules and composite photocatalysts. • The photocatalysts exhibit an effective separation of the photoinduced electron-hole pairs. • The photocatalysts show excellent photocatalytic activity and photo-stability under visible light irradiation. - Abstract: A novel multiphase photocatalyst of Ag-modified raspberry-like AgCl/Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} composite was successfully fabricated via a facile solvent-free reaction technique, in which the Ag and AgCl were subtlely generated from the one-step reaction between Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} particles and HONH{sub 3}Cl as reductant and chlorine source at room temperature. The as-obtained ternary Ag-modified raspberry-like AgCl/Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} composites can facilitate the contact of dye molecules and photocatalysts, exhibiting superior photocatalytic property and good recycling ability towards the decomposition of organic dye under the visible-light irradiation. The reductant addition amounts greatly affect the performance of Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} photocatalyst. The optimum composite ratio of Ag-modified AgCl/Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} samples show significant enhancement of visible-light photocatalytic activities and the degradation rate constant is about 16 times greater than that of pure Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4}. The highly improved performance of Ag-modified raspberry-like AgCl/Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} structure can be ascribed to the surface plasma resonance (SPR) effects of metal Ag and the synergistic effect among composites, accordingly effectively promote the separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs, widen the absorbance range in the visible light and increase surface area. The h{sup +} and ·OH degraded mechanism for the improved photocatalytic activity of Ag-modified AgCl/Ag{sub 2}WO{sub 4} is proposed based on radical-trapping experiments and ESR spectra records.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Preparation and structure of Na2Ag5Fe3(P2O7)4 -Ag metal composite: Insights on electrochemistry

ABSTRACT Ag 7 Fe 3 (P 2 O 7 ) 4 is a 3D structured material which has been recently studied as a possible cathode material for lithium batteries. Notably, Na 7 Fe 3 (P 2 O 7 ) 4 is reported to be a fast-ion conductor, yet poor electrical conductor. Here, partial replacement of Na + for Ag + yielded Na 2 Ag 5 Fe 3 (P 2 O 7 ) 4 pyrophosphate framework where the formation of Ag metal is proposed to increase the intrinsic low electrical conductivity of this polyanion electrode. Specifically, the Ag 5 Na 2 Fe 3 (P 2 O 7 ) 4 -Ag composite is synthesized via chemical reduction of Ag 7 Fe 3 (P 2 O 7 ) 4 using NaBH 4 . The occupancy of Ag + and Na + in each site was determined via Rietveld analysis of the diffraction pattern. Electrochemistry of the Ag 5 Na 2 Fe 3 (P 2 O 7 ) 4 -Ag metal composite was explored with voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. The Ag 5 Na 2 Fe 3 (P 2 O 7 ) 4 -Ag metal composite electrodes displayed good rate capability assisted by the presence of Ag metal from the chemical reduction and in-situ electrochemical formation of a Ag conductive network.

energy storage (including batteries and capacitors↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effects of Bi Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nanocrystalline Ag Coatings

Here in this study we investigated the effects of Bi addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an electrodeposited nanocrystalline Ag coating. Microstructural features were investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicate that the addition of Bi introduced nanometer-scale Ag-Bi solid solution particles and more internal defects to the initial Ag microstructures. The anisotropic elastic-plastic properties of the Ag nanocrystalline coating with and without Bi addition were examined with nanoindentation experiments in conjunction with the recently-developed inverse method. The results indicate that the as-deposited nanocrystalline Ag coating contained high mechanical anisotropy. With the addition of 1 atomic percent (at%) Bi, the anisotropy within Ag-Bi coating was very small, and yield strength of the nanocrystalline Ag-Bi alloy in both longitudinal and transverse directions were improved by over 100% compared to that of Ag. On the other hand, the strain-hardening exponent of Ag-Bi was reduced to 0.055 from the original 0.16 of the Ag coating. Furthermore, the addition of Bi only slightly increased the electrical resistivity of the Ag-Bi coating in comparison to Ag. Lastly, results of our study indicate that Bi addition is a promising method for improving the mechanical and physical performances of Ag coating for electrical contacts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Effects of the method of active site characterization for determining structure-sensitivity in Ag-catalyzed ethylene epoxidation

We report catalysts have been prepared on a low surface area α-Al 2 O 3 support used commercially for previous generation olefin epoxidation catalysts. Prescreening of the low surface area alumina (0.73 m 2 /g) indicated the absence of acid catalyzed isomerization of EO at an evaluation temperature of 210 °C. A 0.1 wt% Ag base material synthesized by incipient wetness impregnation of AgNO 3 was used as a base material for electroless deposition (ED) of additional Ag to increase particle sizes by controlled reduction of Ag + directly onto the preexisting Ag surface to form weight loadings between 0.3 and 5.0 wt% metal. A 12 wt% Ag/α-Al 2 O 3 using Ag 2 C 2 O 4 as the Ag precursor was also prepared to compare performance of the ED samples with a catalyst more typical of industrial formulations. Characterization by SEM, STEM, and hydrogen titration of oxygen precovered Ag characterized before and after catalytic evaluation indicated that microscopy is required to accurately represent distributions of Ag particle sizes, but H 2 titration of O-precovered Ag gives the best representation of active sites since it directly counts the number of Ag surface sites. Larger particles >100 nm are resistant to both Ag sintering and carbon foulant; TOF values were relatively insensitive to particle size with only a 2.2 × difference between the best and worst performing samples. Selectivity, which is not a function of TOF, shows the most significant structure sensitivity effect where particle sizes follow the trend 67 nm ≈ 92 nm (58% EO) < 157 nm (67% EO) < 211–542 nm (73% EO). The lower EO selectivities were also correlated with increased fouling for the smaller Ag sizes, suggesting that more strongly bound EO precursor(s) leads to combustion and CO 2 /H 2 O formation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Isomorphism and solid solutions among Ag- and Au-selenides

Au-Ag selenides were synthesized by heating stoichiometric mixtures of elementary substances of initial compositions Ag{sub 2−x}Au{sub x}Se with a step of x=0.25 (0≤x≤2) to 1050 °C and annealing at 500 °C. Scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, electron microprobe analysis and X-ray powder diffraction methods have been applied to study synthesized samples. Results of studies of synthesized products revealed the existence of three solid solutions with limited isomorphism Ag↔Au: naumannite Ag{sub 2}Se – Ag{sub 1.94}Au{sub 0.06}Se, fischesserite Ag{sub 3}AuSe{sub 2} - Ag{sub 3.2}Au{sub 0.8}Se{sub 2} and gold selenide AuSe - Au{sub 0.94}Ag{sub 0.06}Se. Solid solutions and AgAuSe phases were added to the phase diagram of Ag-Au-Se system. Crystal-chemical interpretation of Ag-Au isomorphism in selenides was made on the basis of structural features of fischesserite, naumannite, and AuSe. - Highlights: • Au-Ag selenides were synthesized. • Limited Ag-Au isomorphism in the selenides is affected by structural features. • Some new phases were introduced to the phase diagram Ag-Au-Se.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Synthesis and characterization of novel WO{sub 3} loaded Ag–ZnO and its photocatalytic activity

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► A novel WO{sub 3} loaded Ag–ZnO was prepared by a simple solvothermal method. ► ‘Ag’ traps the electron from both ZnO and WO{sub 3} reducing electro–hole recombination. ► WO{sub 3}–Ag–ZnO is more efficient than Ag–ZnO, WO{sub 3}–ZnO, Ag–WO{sub 3} and undoped catalysts. ► WO{sub 3}–Ag–ZnO material will be much useful for the treatment of dye effluents. -- Abstract: A novel WO{sub 3} loaded Ag–ZnO photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images, energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), photoluminescence spectra (PL), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements. The photocatalytic activity of WO{sub 3}–Ag–ZnO was investigated for the degradation of RR 120 and RO 4 dyes in aqueous solution using UV-A light. WO{sub 3}–Ag–ZnO is found to be more efficient than Ag–ZnO, WO{sub 3}–ZnO, Ag–WO{sub 3}, commercial ZnO, prepared ZnO, TiO{sub 2}-P25 and TiO{sub 2} (Merck) at neutral pH for the mineralization of dyes. First time we have reported that novel WO{sub 3} loaded Ag–ZnO has been found to be very efficient for two azo dyes removal when compared to commercially available catalyst (Degussa P25, ZnO (Merck) and TiO{sub 2} (Merck)). The mineralization of dyes has been confirmed by chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements. A mechanism of degradation has been proposed for the higher efficiency of WO{sub 3}–Ag–ZnO.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Ag@AgHPW as a plasmonic catalyst for visible-light photocatalytic degradation of environmentally harmful organic pollutants

Graphical abstract: Ag@Ag{sub x}H{sub 3−x}PW12O40 (Ag@AgHPW) nanoparticles (NPs), a new visible-light driven plasmonic photocatalyst, are prepared by a green photoreduction strategy without the addition of any surfactant, which show a high activity and stability for the degradation of methyl blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. - Highlights: • A new visible-light driven photocatalyst Ag@Ag{sub x}H{sub 3−x}PW{sub 12}O{sub 40} was designed. • The photocatalyst shows a high activity for the degradation of methyl blue. • The high activity can be ascribed to the synergy of photoexcited AgHPW and Ag. - Abstract: Ag@Ag{sub x}H{sub 3−x}PW{sub 12}O{sub 40} (Ag@AgHPW) nanoparticles (NPs), a new visible-light driven plasmonic photocatalyst, are prepared by a green photoreduction strategy without the addition of any surfactant. They show strong absorption in the visible region because of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Ag NPs. This plasmonic photocatalyst shows a high activity and stability for the degradation of methyl blue (MB) under visible light irradiation, which could be attributed to the highly synergy of photoexcited Ag{sub x}H{sub 3−x}PW{sub 12}O{sub 40} (AgHPW) and plasmon-excited Ag NPs and the confinement effects at interfaces between polyoxometalates (POMs) and silver. POM anions have redox ability and high photocatalytic activity, whereas Ag NPs could effectively accelerate the separation of electrons and holes, both of which contribute to their high activity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Controlled preparation of Ag–Cu{sub 2}O nanocorncobs and their enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light

Graphical abstract: The corncob-like Ag–Cu{sub 2}O nanostructure with suitably exposed Ag surface exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than Ag@Cu{sub 2}O nanocables and Cu{sub 2}O nanowires. - Highlights: • Ag–Cu{sub 2}O nanocorncobs have been controllably prepared by a simple synthesis. • The possible formation mechanism of Ag–Cu{sub 2}O has been studied. • Ag–Cu{sub 2}O exhibits noticeable improved photocurrent compared with the pure Cu{sub 2}O NWs. • Ag–Cu{sub 2}O with suitably exposed Ag surface shows much higher photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: Novel corncob-like nano-heterostructured Ag–Cu{sub 2}O photocatalyst has been controllably prepared by adjusting the synthetic parameters, and the possible formation mechanism has been also studied. The photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performances demonstrated that the as-prepared Ag–Cu{sub 2}O nanocorncobs exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than both pure Cu{sub 2}O nanowires and cable-like Ag@Cu{sub 2}O nano-composites. It was concluded that Ag–Cu{sub 2}O nanocorncobs with suitably exposed Ag surface not only effectively inhibit the recombination of electron–hole pairs but also suitably increase the active sites of electronic conduction, and thus increasing the photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of oxygen vacancies and Ag deposition on the magnetic properties of Ag/N co-doped TiO2 single-crystal films

Highlights: • Photochemical deposition method to prepare Ag-doped TiO{sub 2} samples. • TiO{sub 2} single crystal films are used for studying room temperature ferromagnetism origin. • Ag element is deposited on TiO{sub 2} single crystal films surface in the form of Ag particles. • Oxygen vacancies and Ag particles synergy influence the ferromagnetism in samples. - Abstract: We employ TiO{sub 2} single-crystal films as a substrate and use a photochemical deposition method to prepare Ag-doped and Ag/N co-doped TiO{sub 2} single-crystal films. We also investigate the optical and magnetic properties of the samples using various measurements. No diffraction peaks related to silver oxide appear in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, which implies the existence of Ag atoms in Ag-doped TiO{sub 2} single-crystal films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra indicate the existence of Ti{sup 4+} and Ag° in Ag/N co-doped TiO{sub 2} single-crystal films. It is found that Ag is deposited on a TiO{sub 2} single-crystal film surface in the form of Ag particles. Meanwhile, Ag particles can slightly enhance ferromagnetism in Ag-doped TiO{sub 2} single-crystal films compared with the TiO{sub 2} single-crystal film sample. Oxygen vacancies and Ag particle synergy influence ferromagnetism in Ag/N co-doped TiO{sub 2} single-crystal films.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Leaching of Au, Ag, and Pd from waste printed circuit boards of mobile phone by iodide lixiviant after supercritical water pre-treatment

Highlights: • We report a novel process for recovering Au, Ag, and Pd from waste PCBs. • The effect of SCWO on the leaching of Au, Ag, and Pd in waste PCBs was studied. • SCWO was highly efficient for enhancing the leaching of Au, Ag, and Pd. • The optimum leaching parameters for Au, Ag, and Pd in iodine–iodide were studied. - Abstract: Precious metals are the most attractive resources in waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) of mobile phones. In this work, an alternative process for recovering Au, Ag, and Pd from waste PCBs of mobile phones by supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) pre-treatment combined with iodine–iodide leaching process was developed. In the process, the waste PCBs of mobile phones were pre-treated in supercritical water, then a diluted hydrochloric acid leaching (HL) process was used to recovery the Cu, whose leaching efficiency was approximately 100%, finally the resulting residue was subjected to the iodine–iodide leaching process for recovering the Au, Ag, and Pd. Experimental results indicated that SCWO pre-treatment temperature, time, and pressure had significant influence on the Au, Ag, and Pd leaching from (SCWO + HL)-treated waste PCBs. The optimal SCWO pre-treatment conditions were 420 °C and 60 min for Au and Pd, and 410 °C and 30 min for Ag. The optimum dissolution parameters for Au, Pd, and Ag in (SCWO + HL)-treated PCBs with iodine–iodide system were leaching time of 120 min (90 min for Ag), iodine/iodide mole ratio of 1:5 (1:6 for Ag), solid-to-liquid ratio (S/L) of 1:10 g/mL (1:8 g/mL for Ag), and pH of 9, respectively. It is believed that the process developed in this study is environment friendly for the recovery of Au, Ag, and Pd from waste PCBs of mobile phones by SCWO pre-treatment combined with iodine–iodide leaching process.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗