Ultrasound assisted ambient temperature synthesis of ternary oxide AgMO2 (M=Fe, Ga)

The application of ultrasound for the synthesis of ternary oxide AgMO2 (M=Fe, Ga) was investigated. Crystalline α-AgFeO2 was obtained from the alkaline solutions of silver and iron hydroxides by sonication for 40 minutes. α-AgFeO2 was found to absorb optical radiation in the 300–600 nm range as shown by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The Raman spectrum of α-AgFeO2 exhibited two bands at 345 and 638 cm−1. When β-NaFeO2 was sonicated with aqueous silver nitrate solution for 60 minutes, β-AgFeO2 possessing orthorhombic structure was obtained as the ion-exchanged product. The Raman spectrum of β-AgFeO2 showed four strong bands at 295, 432, 630 and 690 cm−1. Sonication of β-NaGaO2 with aqueous silver nitrate solution for 60 minutes resulted in olive green colored, α-AgGaO2. The diffuse reflectance spectrum and the EDX analysis confirmed that the ion-exchange through sonication was complete. The Raman spectrum of α-AgGaO2 had weak bands at 471 and 650 cm−1.