Synthesis of quasi-spherical AgBr microcrystal via a simple ion-exchange route

• Published in: Materials letters 2016-04, Vol.168, p.99-102
• Main Authors: Cheng, Zhipeng, Chu, XiaoZhong, Sheng, Zhenhuan, Xu, Jiming, Zhong, Hui, Zhang, Lu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AgBr; Ammonium bromides; Consumption; Diffusion; Microcrystals; Microstructure; Photocatalysis; Powder technology; Silver chlorides; Solar energy; Surfaces; Synthesis; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2016.01.050

Uniform quasi-spherical silver bromide (AgBr) microcrystal was synthesized through a simple ion-exchange route, in which silver chloride (AgCl) was used as the template and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was the Br source. AgBr microcrystal was quasi-spherical with a diameter of approximately 5μm in the synthesis, CTAB molecules slowly released Br− under hydrothermal condition, and then an ion-exchange reaction with Cl− proceeded at the AgCl surface at the initial stage, Br− then diffused from the AgCl surface to the interior. Finally, Cl− in AgCl structure was consumed completely by Br−, producing pure AgBr. The AgBr product can absorb solar energy with wavelengths shorter than 480nm, which is consistent with previously reported results. •AgBr microcrystal was synthesized through a simple ion-exchange route.•AgCl was used as the template and CTAB was the Br source.•AgBr microcrystal was quasi-spherical with a diameter of approximately 5μm.•AgBr absorbed solar energy with wavelengths shorter than 480nm.