MALDI TOF and theoretical investigation of silver clusters obtained by gamma irradiation

The aim of this study is to evaluate the size and stability of radiolytically produced silver clusters. The clusters obtained by the gamma irradiation of a mixture of a silver salt and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were studied both theoretically and by mass spectrometry. MALDI TOF mass spectrometry of the Agn clusters showed the presence of clusters containing between 5 and 29 atoms. Both the theoretical and experimental results of this paper show that the most stable clusters are small clusters with an odd number of atoms. The stability of these clusters is correlated with the cluster's electronic configuration.

► The size and the stability of radiolytically produced silver clusters were examined.
► The clusters were studied by mass spectrometry and theoretically.
► Mass spectrometry showed the presence of clusters containing 5–29 atoms.
► The most stable clusters are the small clusters with an odd number of atoms.