Production and Characterization of Ag Nanoclusters Produced by Plasma Gas Condensation

Silver nanoclusters were produced by plasma gas condensation method. The influence of argon flow and current density applied to Ag target on the size distribution of Ag clusters was evaluated. The clusters growth in the substrate was evaluated in static mode and rotation mode. The results indicate that the deposition in rotation mode leads to an increase in the clusters mean size while in static mode aggregation of Ag clusters represents the dominant growth mechanism. The crystalline structure of Ag clusters was evaluated by selected area diffraction patterns and X-ray diffraction, which suggested the formation of crystalline Ag. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry analysis of Ag films revealed the formation of porous Ag structures and no oxygen was found. FCT – Fundac¸ao para a Ci ~ ^encia e Tecnologia and FSE are acknowledged for the grant SFRH/BD/82472/2011. This research is sponsored by the FEDER funds through the program COMPETE – Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade and by the national funds through FCT – Fundac¸ao para a ~ Ci^encia e Tecnologia in the framework of the Strategic Projects PEST-C/EME/UIO0285/2011 and by the European’s Community Seventh Framework Programme under the project NANO4COLOR