Fundamental Principles for Stabilization of Ag Nano-Structures

Abstract

The stabilization of Ag nano-strucures such as nanoparticles and thin layers are described from fundamental viewpoint in the light of the accumulated knowledge on it in photographic science. The oxidation of Ag nano-structures are analyzed in terms of the control of their work function by binder (gelatin), self-assembled monolayer (SAM), and AgI membrane, since it is regarded as the first step for main causes of their degradations, which are the oxidation of Ag atoms on their surfaces followed by Ag^＋ migration and Ag₂S formation.