Surface characterization study of the thermal decomposition of Ag2CO3 using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (ELS) have been used to examine Ag2CO3 powder before and after annealing In vacuum at 350 and 500 degrees C. The data indicate that the Ag2CO3 decomposes in a stagewise manner to Ag2O and then Ag metal. ELS reference spectra have also been obtained from Ag-containing standards including Ag metal, Ag2O and AgO; and these spectra have been used as the basis for understanding the ELS data obtained from Ag2CO3 before and after decomposition. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.