Optical, Structural and Mechanical Properties of Ag2O2/Ag2CO3 Nanocomposite Synthesized by Air-Plasma Electrolysis

Abstract

Synthesis of nanocomposite Ag₂O₂/Ag₂CO₃ by the new method of pin-to-solution air-plasma electrolysis and effect of electrolyte concentration on its morphological, structural, mechanical and optical properties are considered in the present paper. XRD analysis reveals that, independent on the concentration, the nanocomposite has monoclinic and hexagonal crystal structure. Mechanical characterization by the Williamson-Hall method shows that the crystallite size of the composite synthesized in high concentration (0.3 M) is 40 nm and the lattice strain and dislocation density are − 0.0002 and 6.149×10¹⁴ line/m², respectively. TEM images and XRD pattern show that reduction of the solution concentration (to 0.2 molar) leads to smaller crystallite size (~ 17 nm) and increased lattice defects. By FTIR spectroscopy, chemical bonds of the sample are studied and formation of the expected bonds is confirmed. Optical characterization of the nanocomposites by UV–Vis spectroscopy through DASF analysis shows that the transition is direct allowed with 0.9 eV gap. Other parameters such as Urbach energy, steepness parameter, strength of the electron–phonon interaction, refractive index and dielectric constant are also determined. It is found that the concentration has a small effect on most of the optical properties of the obtained nanocomposites.