• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.105-109
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• 2016

We prepared a working electrode (WE) with a blocking layer (BL) containing 0 ~ 0.5 wt% Ag nano powders to improve the energy conversion efficiency (ECE) of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). FESEM and micro-Raman were used to characterize the microstructure and phase. UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy was employed to determine the adsorption of the WE with Ag nano powders. A solar simulator and a potentiostat were used to confirm the photovoltaic properties of the DSSC with Ag nano powders. From the results of the microstructural analysis, we confirmed that Ag nano powders with particle size of less than 150 nm were dispersed uniformly on the BL. Based on the phase and adsorption analysis, we identified the existence of Ag and found that the adsorption increased when the amount of Ag increased. The photovoltaic results show that the ECE became 4.80% with 0.3 wt%-Ag addition compared to 4.31% without Ag addition. This improvement was due to the increase of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the BL resulting from the addition of Ag. Our results imply that we might be able to improve the efficiency of a DSSC by proper addition of Ag nano powder to the BL.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 1999

The effects of Ag addition on the microstructures and mechanical properties of 7050 Al alloy were investigated. Various homogenizing and aging treatments were carried out to analyze the controversial effects of Ag in 7050 Al alloy. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) was used for microstructural analysis. The hardening precipitates(${\eta}^{\prime}$) become finer with Ag addition. It suggests that Ag promotes easier nucleation of ${\eta}{\prime}$. The strength of overaged Ag bearing alloys are higher than that of Ag free alloy. Hardening precipitates(${\eta}^{\prime}$) in Ag bearing alloys are smaller than that of Ag free alloys, because the growth rate of ${\eta}^{\prime}$ during overaging stage is lower in Ag bearing alloys.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 1998

We have evaluated the role of Ag additions on the strength, fracture toughness, elastic modulus and resistance to thermal shock of $YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x}$(YBCO) superconductor. Addition of 10 vol.% Ag improved strength and fracture toughness, whereas, decreased elastic modulus of YBCO. In addition, YBCO-Ag composites improved resistance to thermal shock probably due to enhanced strength, fracture toughness and thermal conductivity as a result of Ag addition. It is to be noted that YBCO-Ag made by mixing with $AgNO_3$ solution showed slightly higher strength, fracture toughness and resistance to thermal shock, compared to that made by mixing with metallic Ag powder. These improvements are believed to be due to the microstructure of more finely and uniformly distributed Ag particles.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.137-141
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• 1997

The effects of Ag addition to Zr-based hydrogen storage alloys ($Zr_{0.7}Ti_{0.3}V_{0.4}Ni_{1.2}Mn_{0.4}$, $Zr_{0.7}Ti_{0.3}V_{0.4}Ni_{1.2}Mn_{0.3}Cr_{0.1}$ and $Zr_{0.6}Ti_{0.4}V_{0.4}Ni_{1.2}Mn_{0.3}Fe_{0.1}$) on the electrode properties were examined. Ag-free and Ag-added Ze-based alloys were prepared by arc melting, crushed mechanically, and subjected to the electrochemical measurement. In $Zr_{0.7}Ti_{0.3}V_{0.4}Ni_{1.2}Mn_{0.4}$ alloy, 0.08 wt% Ag addition to the alloy improved the activation rate. Also Ag addition improved both activation property and discharge capacity in $Zr_{0.7}Ti_{0.3}V_{0.4}Ni_{1.2}Mn_{0.3}Cr_{0.1}$. For these Ag-added alloys, discharge capacities with the change of charge-discharge current density(10mA, 15mA and 30mA) are almost constant. Showing very high rate capability, discharge capacity of $Zr_{0.6}Ti_{0.4}V_{0.4}Ni_{1.2}Mn_{0.3}Fe_{0.1}$ alloy increased by Ag addition to the alloy. When the amount of Ag addition in $Zr_{0.7}Ti_{0.3}V_{0.4}Ni_{1.2}Mn_{0.4}$ alloy increased too much, the electrode properties became worse. Unveiling mechanism of effect of Ag addition is now progressing in our laboratory.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Applied Superconductivity and Cryogenics Conference
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• 2000.02a
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• pp.101-103
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• 2000

In the present work, we have investigated the combined effect of high-energy milling and Agb addition on microstructure and superconducting properties for Bi-2223/Ag. tape. The addition of siver plays an important role in enhancing liquid phase formation, Resulting in densification and cracking during solidification. Further study is needed for the optimization of Ag content and heat-treatment which can reduce the cracking.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.394-398
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• 1998

We have studied the effect of Ag additions on the microstructure and the related mechanical and supercon¬ducting properties of $ YBa_{2}$$Cu_{3}$$O_{7-\delta}$ (YBCO) superconductors. A 5-15 vol.% of Ag was added to YBCO in the forms of Ag and $AgNO_{3}$, powder and the resultant microstructural evolution was evaluated. It was observed that the strength and fracture toughness of YBCO increased with increasing Ag content. These improvements in strength and fracture toughness are believed to be due to the strengthening mechanisms caused by the presence of Ag. In addition, YBCO-Ag composite superconductors showed higher values of strength and fracture toughness when Ag was added in the form of AgNO, than those of which was added Ag. The higher mechanical properties of YBCO- Ag resulting from $AgNO_{3}$, addition are probably due to the microstructure of more finely and uniformly distributed Ag particles. The addition of Ag also showed slightly improved critical current density of YBCO superconductors.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.561-565
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• 2007

Because of a good wear resistance and a stable contact resistance, Ag-CdO is widely used as electrical contact material. But, the Cd-oxide mainly exists as a coarse particle and adversely affected to environment. As a reason, $Ag-SnO_2$ alloy has been developed. The Sn-oxide maintains stable and fine particle even at high temperature. In order to investigate the effect of Misch metal (Mm) additional that affects the formation of the oxide and the formation of fine matrix Ag, we studied the microstructures and properties of Ag-Sn-In(-Mm) material fabricated by rapid solidification process. The experimental procedure were melting using high frequency induction, melt spinning, and internal oxidation. The Mm addition makes Ag matrix more fine than no Mm addition. The reason is that the addition of Misch metal decreased a latent heat of fusion of alloy, as a result the rapid solidification effect of alloy is increased. The maximum hardness shows at 0.3 wt%Mm. after that the hardness is decreased until 0.4 wt% Mm, but still larger than no Mm addition alloy. At 0.5 wt% Mm alloy, the precipitation of Misch metal causes a decrease of hardness than no Mm addition alloy.

• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.1475-1479
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• 2022

This work mainly focuses on the sintering behavior of the Cu-Sn alloy with the addition of Ag up to 4 wt% after pulsed electric current sintering (PECS) process for ultra-fast sintering. The microstructural evolution was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and density measurements. The mechanical properties were evaluated via measurements of transverse rupture strength (TRS) and Rockwell hardness. The mechanism during the sintering process has been discussed thoroughly, and the effect on porosity with the addition of the Ag is also correlated. The results showed that the growth of porosity progressed with the amount of Ag up to 2 wt%, and further addition of Ag leads reduction in porosity. The effect on mechanical properties were improved slowly as the amount of Ag increased.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.329-334
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• 2012

Two types of nanoclusters, termed Cluster (1) and Cluster (2) here, both play an important role in the age-hardening behavior in Al-Mg-Si alloys. Small amounts of additions of Cu and Ag affect the formation of nanoclusters. Two exothermic peaks were clearly detected in differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) curves by means of peak separation by the Gaussian method in the base, Cu-added, Ag-added and Cu-Ag-added Al-Mg-Si alloys. The formation of nanoclusters in the initial stage of natural aging was suppressed in the Ag-added and Cu-Ag-added alloys, while the formation of nanoclusters was enhanced at an aging time longer than 259.2 ks(3 days) of natural aging with the addition Cu and Ag. The formation of nanoclusters while aging at $100^{\circ}C$ was accelerated in the Cu-added, Ag-added and Cu-Ag-added alloys due to the attractive interaction between the Cu and Ag atoms and the Mg atoms. The influence of additions of Cu and Ag on the clustering behavior during low-temperature aging was well characterized based on the interaction energies among solute atoms and on vacancies derived from the first-principle calculation of the full-potential Korrinaga-Kohn-Rostoker(FPKKR)-Green function method. The effects of low Cu and Ag additions on the formation of nanoclusters were also discussed based on the age-hardening phenomena.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

In this study, the photo-deposition method was used to introduce Ag onto the surface of TiO₂ to synthesize an Ag-TiO₂ composite. The effects of the varying amounts of AgNO₃ precursor and annealing time periods on the Ag content in the composites, as well as their antibacterial characteristics under visible light conditions were studied. SEM analysis revealed the spherical morphology of the Ag-TiO₂ composite. Compared with TiO₂, the Ag particles were too small to be observed. An XPS analysis of the Ag-TiO₂ surface confirmed the Ag content and showed the peak intensities for elements such as Ag, Ti, O, C, and Si. The highest Ag content was observed when 33.3 wt.% of AgNO₃ and an annealing time of 6 h were employed; this was the optimum annealing time for Ti-Ag-O bonding, in that the lowest number of O bonds and the highest number of Ag bonds were confirmed by XPS analysis. Superior antibacterial properties against Bacillus and Escherichia coli, in addition to the widest inhibition zones were exhibited by the Ag-TiO₂ composite with an increased Ag content in a disk diffusion test, the bacterial reduction rate against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli being 99.9%.