Synthesis and characterization of Ag layers formed on polypropylene

Abstract

Silver sulphide, Ag, layers on the surface of polypropylene (PP) film was formed by chemical bath deposition method (CBD). Film samples were characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The surface morphology, texture, and uniformity of the silver sulphide layers were formed on PP surface dependent on the number of polymer immersions in the precursor solution. XPS analysis confirmed that on the surface of the polypropylene film, a layer of Ag was formed. ATR-FTIR and FTIR spectra analysis showed that the surface of Ag layers is slightly oxidized. All prepared layers gave multiple XRD reflections, corresponding to monoclinic Ag (acanthite). The Ag layer on polypropylene was characterized as an Ag+ ion selective electrode in terms of potential response and detection limit. The electrode was also tested as an end-point electrode for argentometric titration of thiamine hydrochloride. © 2013 Valentina Krylova and Nijole Dukštiene.