Dear colleagues, do you have an idea how to clean ZnSe ATR crystal from deposited silver nanoparticles?
Dear Alzbeta,
I´m used to clean the ZnSe ATR crystal from Organics using solvents i.e., isopropanol, methanol and afterwards with water. It is good to use a cotton tip for this purpose.
For Inorganics DMSO is especially promising since it dissolves many of them.
If a precipitate is formed on the ZnSe crystal that could only be removed by polishing the crystal with Diamond paste.
I hope this helps you.
I would go along with the alcohol solution, also. I am not certain about the solubility of the Ag. DMSO scares me a bit. But, if the alcohol doesn't work, go with the DMSO. Good luck
I would try isopropanol in an ultrasonic cleaner. There is a patent (US3860423) for a solution to etch silver without hurting acid-sensitive oxide surfaces, involving ammonia, peroxide and alcohol, but not sure if this is OK for ZnSe
You may consider to gently (*) swab the zinc selenide crystal surface with a polishing microfiber cloth impregnated with freshly prepared aq. sol. of potassium ferricyanide (2―40 g/dm3); to which sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate (4―40 g/dm3) and/or sodium hydroxide (4―40 g/dm3) can be added. Concentration ranges are merely indicative. Rinse thoroughly with (deionized or distilled) water, afterwards. That should both dissolve and remove the silver nanoparticles while (possibly) slightly etching and repolishing the crystal surface.
(*) Mohs Hardness: 4
treat the ASg/ZnSe with aqueous ammonia. The Ag should form the Ag(NH3)2+ complex and dissolve. Worth trying. Ciao Stefano.
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