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Light-modulated colour transformation in highly intertwined vertically growing silver tungstate tubes
Vipul Kirtikumar Patel1, Balanagulu Busupalli1
1Department of Chemistry, School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar 382426, Gujarat, India. busupalli.balanagulu@sot.pdpu.ac.in.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|November 7, 2023
Summary
This study shows silver tungstate chemical garden tubes grow vertically, unlike silver silicate. Their color changes with light exposure, a novel observation in chemical gardens.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Chemical gardens exhibit complex growth patterns under nonequilibrium conditions.
- Controlling growth kinetics and morphology in these systems remains a significant challenge.
- Previous studies have not reported light-induced color changes in silver-based chemical garden systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the vertical growth of silver tungstate chemical garden tubes under varying light conditions.
- To explore the influence of physicochemical factors on the formation and appearance of these tubes.
- To demonstrate and analyze the light-induced color transformation of silver tungstate chemical garden tubes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of silver tungstate chemical garden tubes under both illuminated and dark conditions.
- Analysis of physicochemical factors including ionic radius, density, osmotic pressure, and hydration enthalpy.
- Observation and documentation of tube morphology, color, and structural characteristics.
- Investigation of color transformation upon light exposure and the effect of oxidizing agents.
Main Results:
- Vertical growth of silver tungstate tubes was achieved under both light and dark conditions.
- Physicochemical properties of the tungstate anion influenced tube formation.
- Tubes grown in light were greyish-black, while dark-grown tubes were creamy white.
- A novel light-induced color transformation of the silver tungstate tubes was observed.
- The presence of a strong oxidizing agent prevented color change under illumination.
Conclusions:
- Silver tungstate chemical garden tubes exhibit unique growth and color-changing properties influenced by light.
- Physicochemical factors play a crucial role in the formation of these structures.
- The observed color transformation represents a new phenomenon in chemical garden research.
- This finding opens new avenues for controlling and functionalizing chemical garden materials.
