Silver Foil Research Articles

Achieving Optimal Solid Phase Diffusion Bonding between Silver Foil Interconnector and Sintered Silver Paste Electrode of Silicon Solar Cell via Micro Resistance Spot Welding

Achieving Optimal Solid Phase Diffusion Bonding between Silver Foil Interconnector and Sintered Silver Paste Electrode of Silicon Solar Cell via Micro Resistance Spot Welding

Evaluating sulfur-impurity removal and modern carbon contamination in different preparation methods for radiocarbon dating of soil samples by accelerator mass spectrometry

AbstractRadiocarbon (14C) dating of soil samples by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has been proven useful for studying carbon (C) cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. However, this application has two primary difficulties in sample preparation: inhibition of graphite formation due to sulfur (S)-containing impurities and contamination of samples with modern C (MC). Herein, we evaluated these effects using three sample preparation methods (silver foil, silver wire, and Sulfix) by conducting AMS-14C measurements of a 14C-dead charred wood and S-rich soil samples. The preparation methods were all successful in graphite formation and AMS-14C measurement for soil samples with an organic S content <6.9 wt%. The methods showed different percent modern carbon (pMC) values from 0.16% to 0.64% for the 14C-dead sample. The results also revealed that across different methods, MC contamination can be significantly reduced by applying two-step procedure (combustion and subsequent reaction to remove S-containing impurities) during sample preparation. The three methods had a negligible influence on determining the 14C age for samples that were at least younger than 12,000 yr BP. As the 14C ages of the soil samples are typically younger than 12,000 yr BP, any method explored in this study can be employed for 14C dating with sufficient accuracy for application to C cycle studies.

Activating New Reaction Pathways in Electrochemical CO2 Conversion Using Pulsing

Electrochemical CO2 conversion can result in a variety of products, often as a mixture, and controlling the product selectivity remains a key challenge. It has been shown that pulsing the electrochemical potential can lead to altered product distributions, influenced by effects on, e.g., transport, double-layer rearrangement, adsorption/desorption, and changes to electrode structure and composition (1).Herein we report our observations using metal electrodes normally selective for the 2-electron formation of CO as major product under steady-state (potentiostatic) conditions, finding that they can produce significant amounts of higher-order products (including methane and ethylene) under the application of pulse potential waveforms. We confirm this is not due to metal impurities in the system, but is significantly affected by phenomena such as surface restructuring and accumulation of liquid products. Furthermore, time-resolved differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) measurements reveal distinctly different transient behaviors between the different gaseous products, providing key new mechanistic insight for clarifying the roles of pulsing.(1) Casebolt, R.; Levine, K.; Suntivich, J.; Hanrath, T. Pulse Check: Potential Opportunities in Pulsed Electrochemical CO2 Reduction. Joule 2021, 5 (8), 1987–2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2021.05.014. Figure: Pulsed CO2 reduction on Ag (manuscript pending) -- a) Pulsing waveform with parameter definitions. b) Gas product evolution rates as measured by GC during continuous electrochemical pulsing of a silver foil electrode. c) DEMS study of porous Ag film electrodes, revealing product formation transient behaviors. d) Selectivity dependence on varying the cathodic step potential (Ec) while Ea is fixed. Figure 1

Production of 67Cu at a biomedical cyclotron via 70Zn(p,α)67Cu reaction and its evaluation in a preclinical study using small animal SPECT/CT

Clinical advancements in nuclear medicine theranostics has excited a research interest in exploring novel radionuclides for medical use. The duo of the β− emitter 67Cu and the positron emitter 64Cu, has advantages over the well-established clinical pair 68Ga and 177Lu in terms of capability for high-precision therapy. Low availability has hindered the use of 67Cu whereas 64Cu has become established at a limited number of sites through production in low-to-medium energy biomedical cyclotrons. Via the reaction 70Zn(p,α)67Cu, 67Cu can also be cyclotron produced, although data on the cross sections of this reaction are sparse. Our aim in this study was three-fold: 1) to establish cross sections for relevant beam energies (14–16 MeV) of the 70Zn(p,α)67Cu reaction; 2) determine experimentally the thick target yield for 16.5 MeV proton beam; 3) establish a routine production of 67Cu for radiochemical and preclinical research. Additionally, our work aims to explore the feasibility of using biomedical cyclotrons for developing of novel therapeutic radionuclides.Thin layers of enriched 70Zn were electrodeposited onto silver foils to employ the stacked foils technique for assessing the cross section at six energies. The thick target yield was measured experimentally using a pressed [70Zn]ZnO target. Methods were developed for solid phase extraction separation of 67Cu from the target material, as well as quality control of the product with regards to radionuclidic and radiochemical purity. Radiolabelling of PSMA-617 precursor was performed and the end product injected in a healthy mouse for a kinetic study. As a proof of concept for preclinical applications The animal was then SPECT imaged using the 185 keV gamma emission line.Summarizing, our data confirm that biomedical cyclotrons can contribute in developing novel radionuclides, even of low cross section, for preclinical research.

Analysis of silver metal with a Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS instrument at 50 and 200 eV pass energies

Silver metal was analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy using a Thermo Scientific K-Alpha instrument with an Al Kα x-ray source (1486.6 eV). The silver survey spectrum and high-resolution Ag 3d, Ag M4N45N45, Ag M5N45N45, Ag 3p, O 1s, C 1s, Ar 2p, Ag 4p, and Ag 4s narrow scans were obtained. The sample analyzed is the standard instrument calibration silver foil mounted inside the analysis chamber of the K-Alpha. Sputtering with monoatomic Ar+ was performed prior to analysis to remove surface contamination. Narrow and survey scans were collected at 50 and 200 eV pass energy, respectively.

A bioluminescence-based bioassay for hazard assessment of food-grade silver foil (E174) and its validation by atomic absorption spectroscopy

A bioluminescence-based bioassay for hazard assessment of food-grade silver foil (E174) and its validation by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Insights into the electrochemical performance of manganese dioxide coated metallic foils as potential electrodes for supercapacitors

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors due to its high theoretical specific capacitance. In this study, MnO2 particles were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method and subsequently coated onto silver, nickel, and aluminum foils via dip coating. The structural, morphological, and functional properties of the resulting MnO2 nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were employed to investigate the electrochemical performance of the coated metallic foils. The results demonstrated that MnO2/Ag foils exhibited the highest specific capacitance of 198 F g–1 at a scan rate of 0.25 A g−1, accompanied by excellent cycle stability (89% capacitance retention). This performance surpassed that of MnO2/Ni and MnO2/Al foils, which exhibited maximum specific capacitances of 150 and 101 F g−1, respectively. Additionally, MnO2/Ag foils displayed the highest charge storage capacity, as evidenced by EIS analysis, reaching 4000 Ω, nearly double that of MnO2/Ni and MnO2/Al foils. These findings highlight the potential of cost-effective and high-performance MnO2/Ag foils for widespread applications in energy storage devices such as electrochemical capacitors.Graphical

Single-shot laser-driven neutron resonance spectroscopy for temperature profiling

The temperature measurement of material inside of an object is one of the key technologies for control of dynamical processes. For this purpose, various techniques such as laser-based thermography and phase-contrast imaging thermography have been studied. However, it is, in principle, impossible to measure the temperature of an element inside of an object using these techniques. One of the possible solutions is measurements of Doppler brooding effect in neutron resonance absorption (NRA). Here we present a method to measure the temperature of an element or an isotope inside of an object using NRA with a single neutron pulse of approximately 100 ns width provided from a high-power laser. We demonstrate temperature measurements of a tantalum (Ta) metallic foil heated from the room temperature up to 617 K. Although the neutron energy resolution is fluctuated from shot to shot, we obtain the temperature dependence of resonance Doppler broadening using a reference of a silver (Ag) foil kept to the room temperature. A free gas model well reproduces the results. This method enables element(isotope)-sensitive thermometry to detect the instantaneous temperature rise in dynamical processes.

Soda-lime glass trade across the Eurasian Steppe during the 4th to 5th century CE: Evidence from a Xianbei cemetery in Inner Mongolia

Soda-lime glass trade across the Eurasian Steppe during the 4th to 5th century CE: Evidence from a Xianbei cemetery in Inner Mongolia

Structure and Reactivity of Active Oxygen Species on Silver Surfaces for Ethylene Epoxidation.

The epoxidation of ethylene stands as one of the most important industrial catalytic reactions, and silver-based catalysts show superior activity and selectivity. Oxygen is activated on the surface of silver during the reaction and exerts a substantial impact on product selectivity. Notably, the oxygen species residing in the topmost atomic layers profoundly influence the reactivity of a catalyst. However, their characterization under in situ reaction conditions remains a huge challenge, and specific structures have not been identified yet. In this study, we employ in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations to determine the oxygen species formed at the topmost atomic layers of a silver foil and to assign them a structure. Three different groups of oxygen species activated on silver are identified: (i) surface lattice oxygen and two oxygen species originating from associatively adsorbed dioxygen and (ii) top and (iii) subsurface oxygen. Transient in situ photoelectron spectroscopy experiments are carried out to reveal the dynamic evolution and thus reactivity of the different oxygen species under ethylene epoxidation reaction environments. The top oxygen atom from the adsorbed associated dioxygen is the most active. Meanwhile, a frequency-selective data analysis method, developed to process time-resolved data, provides insights into the evolving trends of peak intensities for different oxygen species. The versatility of this method suggests its potential application in future time-resolved characterization studies.

A solar battery containing functional metal electrodes

A solar battery containing functional metal electrodes

Does silver leach into foods exposed to silver utensils? A preliminary study with selected Indian traditional foods

Although silver is not listed as a nutrient in regulations, silver is consumed through various sources of dietary ingredients. The practice of covering certain food items with silver foils and consuming foods in a silver plate or silver glass are known. Traditional knowledge documents the number of benefits of silver to humans. Preliminary experiments were conducted to determine if silver gets leached into few traditional foods in contact with silver plate/glass were undertaken and we report the results in this article.

Influence of Double-Pulse Electrodeposition Parameters on the Performance of Ag/AgCl Electrochemical Electrode for Marine Electric Field.

This paper describes a Ag/AgCl electrochemical electrode for marine electric field measurements, which was prepared by depositing silver chloride on a silver foil substrate using double-pulse electrodeposition. The impact of positive direction peak current density and deposition time on electrode performance in the preparation of Ag/AgCl electrodes through double-pulse electrodeposition was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and voltammetry have been used to study the properties of the prepared electrodes. This work reveals the correlation between the electrochemical behavior of electrodes and the physical properties of their surfaces, especially specific surface area and porosity. The study verified the characteristics of Ag/AgCl marine electric field electrodes obtained with different pulse parameters by analyzing the potential stability and noise level of the electrode in salt water. The study's results have positive significance for improving the accuracy of marine electric field measurements.

Unique corrosion behavior of an archaeological Roman iron ring: Microchemical characterization and thermodynamic considerations

Unique corrosion behavior of an archaeological Roman iron ring: Microchemical characterization and thermodynamic considerations

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Analysis of Trace Amounts of Ferulic Acid Using a Surface-Roughened Silver Foil

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Analysis of Trace Amounts of Ferulic Acid Using a Surface-Roughened Silver Foil

FALSE COIN OF EMPRESS LUCILLA FOUND IN SERDICA

A false coin found in Serdica is described in this article. It is about the coin mixti from the time of empress Lucilla (164–168/ 169), which has the following description:
 Obverse: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F draped bust right.
 Reverse: CONCORDIA Concordia seated left, holding a patera and resting her arm on a statue of Spes.
 Diameter: 17/18mm; Weight – 2.95g.
 The core is made of copper alloy, covered with thick gilding. At present the gilding on the relief parts of the images and letters is impaired and parts of the core are visible, which have rough surface as a result of pits in the metal. On the observe of the coin the impairment is bigger on the image of the empress and smaller on the letters of the inscription. On the reverse the cover of the letters and the inscription is impaired.
 The images and the inscriptions on the coin are the same as on the denar, listed in RIC under No 758. The copper kernel is supposed to have been coated with silver foil and then stamped with the matrix for denars. However, for some reason the kernel was covered with gold, not with silver. It is difficult to estimate whether that was an accident or planned in advance, but as a final reckoning, the fraud is double – a kernel of common metal covered with a golden foil and stamped with the images of f silver coin. In any case it was presumed that the potential owners of that coin were not familiar with the images on the silver and gold coins and this way the Specimen would be accepted without any problems.

The Semantics of Prussian Weapon Décor

The proposed article reveals the principles of the semantics of the decor that adorned the weapons of the Prussians mainly in the Viking Age.The conclusions are:
 1. In Roman times, the Aestii, the ancestors of the Prussians, provided the blades of their combat knives with carvings, apparently designed to enhance the real power of this weapon in a mystical way. Triangular figures filled with vertical hollows are also presented on Prussian daggers, but their semantic meaning is not clear.
 2. At the end of the era of the Great Migration of Peoples, the Prussians, under the influence of German and Avar swords, create their single-edged blades («long sax» type), the scabbard of which is decorated with silver plates with a basmen pattern. The details of this pattern − stripes of figures of the Kegelkönig type – may
 have a protective value and are associated with the cult of Perkūnas.
 3. In the Viking Age, individual swords found in Prussian military graves have a semantically significant decor associated with the function of mystical amplification of the power of these weapons. True, they were produced outside the land of the Prussians. Swords of the Kazakevičius Desiukiškių type with images of sacrificial goats can be considered the only local in origin.
 4. In the XI century Prussian craftsmen furnish spear and javelin bushings with flame-like decor, possibly related to «military magic». By the end of the XI century jewelers simplify their creations and decorate spear sleeves with silver foil forged with
 horizontal strips of copper/bronze wire. This ornament is purely decorative.
 5. In pre-Orden times, individual specimens of lop-butted axes are decorated with figurines of sacrificial goats. This is a sign that these axes, being actually not military weapons, belong to sacrificial ceremonies held in Prussian communities by
 priests or leaders.

Decorative Coatings of the Saint Demetrius Basarabov Reliquary’s Wooden Pedestal

This study presents the results and information revealed by in-depth physicochemical investigations carried out on an 18th-century polychrome wooden pedestal of the holy relics of Saint Demetrius Basarabov preserved at the Romanian Patriarchy of Bucharest. The preliminary stylistic observations and examinations on its present state of conservation were followed by optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) analysis performed in order to adopt an appropriate restoration treatment for bringing the artifact, as close as possible, to its original appearance as well as for dating/attributing the artifact and assessing its state of conservation. It was revealed that several interventions were subsequently undertaken on the original gilded surface consisting of a gypsum support layer with an iron oxide layer of bolus on which a silver foil or a gold foil and a natural resin on top of it as a protective layer were applied. The regilding and later restoration interventions consisted in applying, over the original, layers of a copper–zinc alloy foil (Dutch metal as an imitation of gold) with a resin layer of vernis over it. The final decision on the restoration intervention was taken based on the scientific analysis outcome. This work attempts also to highlight the importance of the interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, conservation scientists, restorers/conservators, and curators for the preservation and valorization of the historical religious Romanian heritage artifacts, largely unknown worldwide.

Comparative study of parallel gap resistance welding joints between different interconnected foils and GaAs solar cells: Microstructure and thermal reliability

Comparative study of parallel gap resistance welding joints between different interconnected foils and GaAs solar cells: Microstructure and thermal reliability

Green Chemistry in Medical Applications: Preliminary Assessment of Kuzu Starch Films with Plant-Based Antiseptics

The current state of the natural environment requires medical products, including dressings, to be manufactured in accordance with the principles of a sustainable economy. This assumption is perfectly met by dressings made of renewable materials and additionally filled with natural antiseptics. The use of such plant compounds is consistent with the principles of green chemistry. In this work, films based on Kuzu starch with rooibos extract and chili pepper oil extract were prepared and tested. Starch foil with silver nanoparticles and foil without additives were used as a comparative material. The chemical structures (ATR-FTIR) of the materials obtained, their thermal (DSC) and mechanical properties (tensile strength, hardness), density, swelling, water vapor permeability, water solubility, and effects on bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 were examined. The Kuzu rooibos film had the lowest antimicrobial activity. At the same time, it was the most flexible foil and was characterized by having the best water vapor permeability and water absorption capacity. The starch film with chili extract was the weakest mechanically speaking, but it significantly inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 bacteria at a level similar to that of the film with silver nanoparticles. The preliminary tests carried out on the properties of Kuzu starch films with plant extracts from rooibos tea and chili peppers indicate that they may be suitable for further research on dressing materials.