Generation of new Agm Ten clusters via laser ablation synthesis using Ag-Te nano-composite as precursor. Quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
BACKGROUND
Silver tellurides find applications in the development of infrared detection, imaging, magnetics, sensors, memory devices, and optic materials. However, only a limited number of silver tellurides have been described to date. Laser ablation synthesis (LAS) was selected to generate new Ag-Te clusters.


METHODS
Isothermal adsorption was used to study the formation of silver nano-particles-tellurium aggregates. Laser desorption ionization quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-QIT-TOFMS) was used for the generation and analysis of Agm Ten clusters. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to visualize the structure of materials. The stoichiometry of the generated clusters was determined by computer modeling of isotopic patterns.


RESULTS
A simple, one-pot method for the preparation of Ag-Te nano-composite was developed and found suitable for LAS of silver tellurides. The LDI of Ag-Te nano-composite leads to the formation of 11 unary and 52 binary clusters. The stoichiometry of the 34 novel Agm Ten clusters is reported here for the first time.


CONCLUSIONS
LAS with TOFMS detection was proven to be a powerful technique for the generation of silver telluride clusters. Knowledge of the stoichiometry of the generated clusters might facilitate the further development of novel high-tech silver tellurium nano-materials.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5/A14, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
Ravi Madhukar
RM
Mawale
Filippo
F
Amato
Milan
M
Alberti
Josef
J
Havel
D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D013691:Tellurium / Q000737:chemistry*
D007477:Ions; D012834:Silver; C026660:tellurous acid; D013691:Tellurium