Synthesis of Surface Nanostructures of Silver Sulfide in Argon at Atmospheric Pressure in a Gas Discharge

Abstract

The study explores the specifications of a nanosecond overvoltage discharge in argon occurring between electrodes crafted from a superionic conductor, silver sulfide (Ag2S). The discharge was initiated under argon pressures ranging from 13.3 to 101 kPa, with a 2 mm separation between the polycrystalline Ag2S electrodes. Electrode material degradation within the discharge, alongside the introduction of Ag2S vapor into the interelectrode region, stemmed from microexplosions triggered by inherent surface irregularities on the electrodes. This discharge configuration holds potential as a plasma-chemical reactor for synthesizing thin films predicated on silver sulfide. Additionally, the study presents findings from analyzing Raman scattering spectra of laser radiation interacting with films synthesized from the Ag2S compound.