Radiolytic redox interplay defines nanomaterial synthesis in liquids

Irradiation of a liquid solution generates solvated electrons and radiolysis products, which can lead to material deposition or etching. The chemical environment dictates the dominant reactions. Radiolysis-induced reactions in salt solutions have substantially different results in pure water versus water-ammonia, which extends the lifetime of solvated electrons. We investigate the interplay between transport and solution chemistry via the example of solid silver formation from e-beam irradiation of silver nitrate solutions in water and water-ammonia. The addition of ammonia results in the formation of a secondary ring-shaped deposit tens of micrometers in diameter (formed over tens of seconds) around the primary point of deposition (formed over milliseconds). Simulations uncover the relative importance of oxidizing and reducing reactions and transport effects. Our explanation of this behavior involves mechanisms beyond ammonia’s role in extending solvated electron lifetimes.