The main purpose of the present work is to analyze a series of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with different size or ligand functionalization by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and to identify the differences in the band‐shape and energy peak position of photoemission spectra due to the particle dimension. A transmission electron microscopy characterization was performed, to verify the consistency of the results. Three types of samples were prepared starting from AgNO₃ water solution and adding different capping agents. In the first two cases, the formation of NPs was promoted by the reduction of silver ions Ag⁺¹ to metallic Ag⁰ through the addition of sodium borohydride, whereas in the last case, it was triggered by the exposure to UV light. Depending on the size of the NPs, a different physical behavior can be recognized. NPs with diameter of about 5 nm are characterized by the phenomenon of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The other type of samples having a diameter of about 1.5 nm presents discrete energy levels instead of electronic bands, and in this case, a typical fluorescence phenomenon can be observed. In the latter case, we can refer to such systems as nanoclusters. The XPS analyses were focused on the Ag 3D spectra looking for the possible shifts of the Ag doublet as a function of the particles size. The ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy with He II source was used for the investigation of possible changes in the valence band.

中文翻译：

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银纳米团簇的X射线和紫外光电子能谱

本工作的主要目的是通过使用X射线光电子能谱（XPS）分析一系列具有不同大小或配体功能的Ag纳米颗粒（NP），并确定光发射的带形和能量峰位置的差异由于粒子尺寸而产生的光谱。进行透射电子显微镜表征，以验证结果的一致性。从AgNO ₃水溶液开始，添加不同的封端剂，制备了三种类型的样品。在前两种情况下，通过将银离子Ag ⁺¹还原为金属Ag ⁰促进了NP的形成。通过添加硼氢化钠，而在最后一种情况下，它是由暴露在紫外线下触发的。根据NP的大小，可以识别出不同的身体行为。直径约为5 nm的NPs的特征在于局部表面等离振子共振（LSPR）现象。直径约为1.5 nm的其他类型的样品具有离散的能级，而不是电子带，在这种情况下，可以观察到典型的荧光现象。在后一种情况下，我们可以将此类系统称为纳米团簇。XPS分析集中在Ag 3D光谱上，以寻找Ag双重峰随颗粒尺寸变化的可能变化。使用He II光源的紫外光电子能谱研究价带的可能变化。