Silver Compounds

Abstract

AbstractMost silver compounds are made from aqueous silver nitrate, which in turn is made from silver metal. Silver compounds are found in nature, but are neither ubiquitous nor prevalent. Silver salts are therefore expensive. Much of the silver produced annually in the United States comes from recycled metal. The primary usage of silver compounds occurs in the photographic industry. Silver compounds are also utilized in batteries, as catalysts, to form the reflective backings of mirrors, and for electroplating silver. Silver(I) compounds and complexes are the most stable, although some materials of higher silver oxidation are known. Some aqueous silver solutions serve as antiseptics; other as analytic reagents.