Nanostructured Ag_4O_4 thin films produced by ion beam oxidation of silver

摘要

We report on the synthesis of nanostructured Ag_4O_4 by thermal evaporation of silver films followed by oxidation with beams of oxygen ions with different kinetic energy in the 50-300 eV range. This method, which combines simplicity and versatility, allows to control the oxide structural properties, and in particular to obtain Ag_4O_4 thin films characterized by different nanoscale morphologies and crystalline structure, depending on the pristine silver layer morphology and on the energy of the oxygen ions. Monoclinic and tetragonal Ag_4O_4 phases, or a mixture of the two, can be obtained. The nanoscale porosity of the material makes it interesting for applications where surface mediated Ag ion release plays a crucial role.