Thermal decomposition of silver propionate

•Thermal behavior of silver propionate in air and inert gas was studied.•Edge-selective growth of Ag particles onto silver propionate crystals.•No preference for any of the facets when pre-irradiating the silver propionate.•The final product is metallic Ag with a size of 1–2 μm. The thermal decomposition of silver propionate, C2H5COOAg, was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry combined with differential thermal analysis and mass spectrometry (TG-DTA-MS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal analysis (TG and DTA) showed single-step decomposition with a total mass loss of 40 and 38 % in air and in inert gas respectively, corresponding to complete transformation of the precursor to Ag. Silver particles of about 1 μm in size are formed on the edges of the silver propionate microcrystals at the initial stages of the thermal decomposition, while upon heating the sample above 270°C, the final product of the thermal decomposition is metallic silver with a size of 1–2 μm. [Display omitted]