Laser and electron beam-induced formation of Ag/Cr structures on Ag2CrO4

Abstract

The interactions of silver chromate (Ag₂CrO₄) with a femtosecond (fs) laser and electron beam irradiations were investigated. For the first time, the growth and coalescence of metallic Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on an Ag₂CrO₄ surface via fs laser irradiation can be reported. Furthermore, electron beam irradiation causes a segregation process of Ag NPs in which Ag nanofilaments are obtained. The Ag₂CrO₄ particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy (Raman), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). According to the results, the fs/electron beam irradiations of Ag₂CrO₄ are environmentally friendly, fast, and effective methods to produce metallic Ag NPs. Both strategies have enormous potential for the synthesis and morphological control of Ag NPs on templates or biotemplates, core–shells, decorations, and composites based on Ag_2−xCrO₄:Ag materials, which are difficult to synthesize using conventional chemical and physical methods.