A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Formation of Ag Filaments on beta-Ag2MoO4 Induced by Electron Irradiation

Author(s)

Andres, Juan ^[1] ; Ferrer, Mateus M. ^[2] ; Gracia, Lourdes ^{[1, 3]} ; Beltran, Armando ^[1] ; Longo, Valeria M. ^[4] ; Cruvinel, Guilherme H. ^[4] ; Tranquilin, Ricardo L. ^[2] ; Longo, Elson ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Jaume 1, Dept Quim Fis & Analit, Castellon de La Plana 12071 - Spain

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, INCTMN UFSCar, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Paulista, INCTMN UNESP, BR-14801907 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fis Sao Carlos, INCTMN USP, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION; v. 32, n. 6, p. 646-651, JUN 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 22

Abstract

A combined experimental and theoretical study is presented to understand the novel observed nucleation and early evolution of Ag filaments on beta-Ag2MoO 4 crystals, driven by an accelerated electron beam from an electronic microscope under high vacuum. The growth process, chemical composition, and the element distribution in these filaments are analyzed in depth at the nanoscale level using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) characterization. To complement experimental results, chemical stability, structural and electronic aspects have been studied systematically using first-principles electronic structure theory within a quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) framework. The Ag nucleation and formation on beta-Ag2MoO4 are a result of structural and electronic changes of the AgO4 tetrahedral cluster as a constituent building block of beta-Ag2MoO4, consistent with Ag metallic formation. The formation of Ag fi lament transforms the beta-Ag2MoO4 semiconductor from n- to p-type concomitant with the appearance of Ag defects. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/14468-1 - Development and theoretical-experimental interpretation of BaZrO3@ZnS system
• Grantee: Mateus Meneghetti Ferrer
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 08/57872-1 - National Institute for Materials Science in Nanotechnology
• Grantee: Elson Longo da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials
• Grantee: Elson Longo da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC