Effect of metallic Ag growth on the electrical resistance of 3D flower-like Ag4V2O7 crystals

Abstract

In this communication, we report for the first time the nucleation and growth of metallic Ag nanoparticles on the surface of 3D flower-like Ag4V2O7 crystals, induced by accelerated electron beam irradiation. The growth of metallic Ag on the surfaces of Ag4V2O7 crystals were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). According to TEM images and EDXS analyses, exposure to the electron beam induces a reduction process and the growth of metallic Ag nanoparticles on the surface of Ag4V2O7 crystals. Moreover, the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry measurements indicated an excess of Ag and V vacancies at Ag4V2O7 lattice. Finally, it was observed that the electrical resistance varies considerably with the exposure time to electron beam irradiation.