Interfacial control on microstructure, morphology and optics of beta-AgI nanostructures fabricated on sputter-disordered Ag-Sn bilayers

We report for the first time a non-template based facile growth of hexagonal (β) AgI nanorods and nanoplates easily fabricated by rf magnetron sputtering on Ag/Sn bilayers upon controlled iodination. The structural and morphological evolution of the β-AgI nanostructures is characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy and optical spectroscopy. Sputtering induced disorder in precursor Ag films, high external stress and high defect concentrations at the Sn-AgI interface particularly facilitates the development of layered hexagonal structure of β-AgI nanostructures. Extremely sensitive room temperature optical absorbance involving evolution of W1,2 and W3 exciton transitions and emission spectra involving phonon replica corroborate the formation of β-AgI nanostructures with high defect concentrations, are aimed at improving the efficiency of photographic process and looking at microelectrodic and optoelectronic applications.