Formation of a silver selenide layer on silicone coated polyamide cloth was investigated. Fabric samples were selenized in potassium selenotrithionate (K2SeS2O6) solution then treated with AgNO3 solution. Formation of a silver selenide particle layer on the surface was confirmed by a change in appearance, X-ray diffraction, and EDX analysis. XRD revealed two phases: orthorhombic naumannite (Ag2Se) and monoclinic selenium (Se8). SEM showed that the fabric macrostructure and the multifilament yarn microstructure was preserved. The silver selenide particles ranged from 100 nm to more than 20 µm. [...]
In years 2006–2010 particulate matter analysis was undertaken for dust samples collected from Gdansk and London area in order to compare their morphology and composition. Part of those studies was devoted to analysis of particulate matter (PM) bearing metals. Characterization of the morphology and size of the particles collected onto the filters was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Both electron microscopes were equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers to identify the elemental composition of the particles. On analysis of the X-ray spectra acquired by both TEM and SEM, the particles were divided into 10 groups as follows: Al-rich, Ba-rich, C-rich, Ca-rich, Cl-rich, Fe-rich, Mg-rich, Na-rich, S-rich, Si-rich. Speciation of the particles based on the major element and accompanying minor elements yielded 34 particle types. However, some pairs of elements repeat, for instance: Na-Cl and Cl-Na, Al-S and S-Al, Si-Al and Al-Si, S-Ca and Ca-S. These are undoubtedly the same types of particles; variation in peak heights of the major and minor elements is normal in a mixed particle population.