One-pot synthesis and characterization of novel silver-gold bimetallic nanostructures with hollow interiors and bearing nanospikes

One-pot preparation of shell-type silver-gold bimetallic nanostructures with hollow interiors and bearing nanospikes, based on colloid seed-engaged replacement reaction and colloid-mediated deposition reactions, has been reported. Heating-induced evolution of Ag-Au bimetallic nanoshells can lead to spontaneous production of nanospikes on the colloid surface. The hollow interior structure and bimetallic nature of the as-prepared colloids are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Polyol-mediated synthesis of polyhedral silver clusters

Besides the spheres, polyhedral silver nanoclusters were prepared by the polyol process with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES). In the process, APTES acts as not only the stabilizer but also the template.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of microperoxidase-11 on roughed silver electrodes

The conformation of microperoxidase-11 (MP-11) adsorbed on roughened silver electrodes was studied using surface-enhanced Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that MP-11 was initially adsorbed via its polypeptide chain with a alpha-helix conformation, as indicated by the enhancement of the characteristic bands related to the amides I and III. The weak resonance effect of the porphyrin macrocycle in the near IR region contributes to the spectrum of the heme group. The presence of imidazole as the sixth ligand to the heme iron influences the conformation of the polypeptide chain of MP-11 on the electrode surface. Evaporation of solvent water results in an opened conformation of the adsorbed MP-11. which allows the heme group to contact the electrode surface directly.

Preparation of W-Al alloys by mechanical alloying

W1-xAlx (x=0-0.86) alloys were synthesized by mechanically alloying the pure metal powder mixtures at designated compositions by conventional high-energy ball milling. The W-Al alloys were stable under high pressure and high temperature. The alloys were lighter than W. The hardness and oxidation resistance of the alloys was greatly improved compared to both W and Al. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Studies of electrochemical quantized capacitance charging of surface ensembles of silver nanoparticles

CTAB-stabilized silver nanoparticles were synthesized by NaBH4 reduction. The as-prepared nanoparticles can be self-assembled on 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) modified gold electrode, which was supported strongly by XPS measurements. Exceptional long-term stability of the as-prepared colloidal silver aqueous solution and the desorption of silver nanoparticle ensemble on MPA after alcohol rinsing proved that these CTAB molecules adsorbed on silver core formed interdigitated bilayer structure. DPV and differential capacitance measurements were performed to characterize the as-prepared silver nanoparticle ensemble. and the interesting quantized capacitance charging behaviors were observed.

Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 mediated with methylviologen at roughened silver electrodes

The photoelectrocatalytic effect for the reduction of CO2 mediated with methylviologen (MV) was studied at mercury, polished silver and roughened silver electrodes using electrochemical and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) techniques. A large photoelectrocatalytic effect for the reduction of CO2 in the presence of MV was observed at the roughened silver electrode, whereas there was only a very small photoelectrocatalytic current at a more negative potential on mercury and polished silver electrodes. The SERS spectra of MV in the presence and absence of CO2, along with the electrochemical results, demonstrate that the surface adsorbed complexes, MV+ -Ag and MV0-Ag, played a role as the mediator for photoinduced electron transfer to CO2 in the solution. The results also suggest that the surface plasmon resonance of the nanoscale silver particle contributes to the overall photoelectrocatalytic effect on a roughened silver electrode.

Seed-mediated growth of large, monodisperse core-shell gold-silver nanoparticles with Ag-like optical properties

Large, monodisperse core-shell Au-Ag nanoparticles with Ag-like optical properties have been prepared by the seeding growth method in micellar media.

Electrochemical characteristic of LaNi-based hydrogen storage alloys

Effect of purity of alloy components on the electrode performance of LaNi2 alloys was investigated. The results showed the purity of components had less effect on discharge capacity and self-discharge of LaNi2 alloys. Partial substitution of Al or Mn for Ni greatly improved discharge properties of LaNi2-xAlx, or LaNi2-yMny alloys as negative electrodes in MFl-Ni battery, 0.15less than or equal toxless than or equal to0.25; 0.15less than or equal toyless than or equal to0.25. In addition, surface treatment of LaNi1.8Al0.2 alloy electrode was performed by polymerizing cis-butenedioate with Co-60- gamma -ray radiation, which. had better affect on self-discharge and cycle life of the alloy electrodes at low temperature(-28 C-degrees).

Photoreduction behaviors of microperoxidase-11 adsorbed on the roughened silver electrodes

It was found that microperoxidase-ll (MP-II) can undergo photoreduction at the bale roughened silver electrode. No photoreduction happens at the roughened silver electrode modified with mercaptoundecanoic carboxylic acid/poly-lysine. The photoreduction mechanism is discussed.

Photoinduced electrochemical reduction of nitrite at an electrochemically roughened silver surface

Photoelectrochemical reduction of nitrite and nitrate was studied on the surface of an electrochemically roughened silver electrode. The dependence of the photocurrent on photon energy, applied potential, and concentration of nitrite was determined. It was concluded that the photoelectrochemical reduction proceeds via a photoemission process followed by the capture of hydrated electrons by electron accepters. The excitation of plasmon resonances in nanosize metal structures produced during the roughening procedure resulted in the enhancement of the photoemission process. Ammonia was detected as one of the final products in this reaction. Mechanisms for the photoelectrochemical reduction of nitrite and nitrate are proposed.

Multilayer assemblies of colloidal ZnS doped with silver and polyelectrolytes based on electrostatic interaction

Multilayer assemblies of silver doped ZnS colloid and polycation were fabricated by a self-assembly technique exploiting electrostatic interaction. UV/Vis spectra showed the uniform deposition process and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the coexistence of silver. It was found that the emission spectra of the silver doped ZnS colloid red-shifted to 528 nm comparing with undoped ZnS colloid. However, the most important finding was that the luminescence intensity of doped ZnS assembled in films was much stronger than that of undoped ZnS in films and that of doped ZnS in the spin-casting film. The mechanism of the enhancement luminescence was discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Behavior of silver cluster on laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A successful analysis of silver was reported utilizing laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI/TOF-MS) in this paper, The silver cluster ions Ag-n(+) and AgnO+ (n=2 similar to 5) were formed during laser desorption/ionization. In the presence of I-, K+ and Na+, the peaks corresponding, to the cluster ions [AgnIn-1](+) (n=2 similar to 6) and the adduct ions [AgI](+), [AgI]Na+ and [AgI]K+ were observed in the positive ion spectrum; the peaks corresponding to [AgnIn+1](-) (n=1 similar to 3) were found in the negative ion spectrum, all of which accompanied by sliver isotope distribution, The formation of silver cluster ions was accomplished through two-stage reaction: the first step was the generation of clusters, which was followed by the processes of photoionization and ion/molecule reaction.

Binary alloys of nylon 1010 and ethylene-propylene copolymer: Chemical, morphological, and mechanical analysis

The modification of ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPM) has been accomplished by melt grafting of maleic anhydride (MAH) molecules promoted by radical initiators. The resulting EPM-g-MAH and EPM have been used to obtain binary nylon 1010/EPM or nylon 1010/EPM-g-MAH blends by melt mixing. It was found that the EPM-g-MAH copolymer used as the second component has a profound effect upon the properties of the resulting blends. This behavior has been attributed to a series of chemical and physicochemical interactions taking place between the two components. The interactions are due to the presence of the anhydride functionality on the copolymer and do not occur when this functionality is absent. The interaction has been confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopic.

Structure and luminescent properties of three new silver lanthanide molybdates

Three new compounds AgLnMo(2)O(8) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb) crystallize with a tetragonal scheelite-type structure characterized by MoO4 tetrahedra. The IR spectra show three absorption bands, which correspond respectively to the nu(1), nu(2), and nu(3) modes of the tetrahedral-MoO42- groups. The emission of AgGdMo2O8 shows the band of the MoO42- groups around 600 nm wavelength with very weak intensity. Both AgEuMo2O8 and AgTbMo2O8 emit intensely, and the concentration quenchings of both Eu3+ and Tb3+ luminescences are very weak. For all compounds, Ag+ luminescence is not observed. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.