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The article,
«Decomposition of Mixed Ag2Cu2O3 Oxide: Structural Features and Catalytic Properties in the Oxidation of CO and C2H4», is focused on a new and rarely studied material - mixed silver oxide and copper Ag2Cu2O3. To study the structural features of Ag2Cu2O3, a combination of physical and chemical methods, such as TEM, XPS and XRF, were used. The structural features of the decomposition of Ag2Cu2O3 under various conditions were studied in detail. During the initial stages of decomposition, a process of silver release from the oxide structure occurred in strictly defined areas. This led to the formation of an oriented array of metallic silver particles on the oxide surface. This composite can be used in various fields of materials science, including selective catalysis.
According to scientists, the unique crystal structure of Ag2Cu2O3 and the characteristics of its destruction predetermine the use of this type of oxide for the preparation of a catalyst in important oxidative processes, for example, epoxidation of ethylene. Mixed oxide Ag2Cu2O3 exhibits high oxidative activity at temperatures close to room temperature. In modern science and technology, systems are used for oxidative catalysis that are based on such precious metals as platinum, palladium, and rhodium which greatly increase the cost. Novosibirsk scientists tried to do this without costly precious metals.
Tatyana Kardash, co-author of the article, NSU Senior Lecturer and Senior Researcher Institute of Catalysis SB RAS described the work:
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Resources are finite, and everyone dreams of obtaining effective catalysts without platinum, palladium and rhodium. An alternative is silver and copper. We were interested in this structure, silver and copper together in the oxide. We assumed they would be interesting from the point of view of catalysis, and this is how it turned out. Mixed oxide is so reactive that it is only partially decomposed when stored in air. When it decomposes, a very interesting composite material is formed and we were able to obtain a beautiful image of it. This is what interested the PR manager from Elsevier.
The exact image was obtained by Olga Stonkus , a research assistant at the Institute of Catalysis SB RAS with the help of a unique NSU transmission electron microscope. Research in this sphere will continue, as mixed silver and copper oxide have great potential for various scientific and technical applications. For example, based on the literature the Ag / CuO nanocomposite obtained from a mixed oxide should be characterized by a giant Raman scattering effect. This can be used for the analytical identification of explosive or other dangerous substances.
