XPS studies on silver ion conducting solid electrolyte SbI3-Ag2MoO4

Abstract

The silver ion conducting solid electrolyte containing antimony triiodide and silver molybdate synthesized by rapid melt quenching method in different stoichiometric compositions exhibits a high ionic conductivity value of 4.1 × 10−3 S cm−1 in a particular stoichiometric composition (SbI3)0.3-(Ag2MoO4)0.7. Generally, High ionic conductivity values in silver ion conductors may be due to the formation of silver iodide, AgI. The reason for high conductivity values was analyzed in terms of structural changes in this synthesized compound. In the present study, the expected presence of Ag+ and I- ions with their due binding energy and orbital state in XPS spectra were analyzed. In this XPS investigation, the presence of Ag metal in 3d3/2 and 3d5/2 states with a binding energy value of 373.8 and 367.8 eV respectively were ascertained. Similarly, I2 is in a 3d orbital state with 3d3/2 and 3d5/2 states with a binding energy value of 631.3 and 619.8 eV respectively. Respective photoemission values of Ag and I2 were found to be 6.0 and 11.5 eV. These values are in very good agreement with reference values quoted in the literature.