Pulsed laser deposition and potentiometric response towards silver ions of β-AgCuPO4 thin films

Single phased and well-crystallized β-AgCuPO4 thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition in an oxygen atmosphere (PO2 = 3 × 10−1 mBar) at a temperature of about 500 °C. Their potentiometric response was tested in silver containing solutions. It obeys a Nernstian voltage variation with a fast response time (<60 s), a good reversibility and present a good selectivity with the silver in absence of copper and/or mercury cations. The conductivity of this material has been evaluated to better understand the response of this material.