Irradiation effect on the structural and electrical properties of the glassy AgGeAsS composite material containing carbon nanotubes
Abstract In this work we present the effect of the irradiation by the beam of charged particles (protons and deuterons) on the electrical and structural properties of the bulk AgGe1.6As0.4(S + CNT)3 glassy composite containing single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT). Material AgGe1.6As0.4(S + CNT)3 possessing mixed electronic-ionic conductivity. The contribution of ionic conductivity component forced by silver ions to the total conductivity is not less than 99% at room temperature. Analysis of the Raman and energy-dispersive spectra provided by scanning electron microscopy, revealed that irradiation of AgGe1.6As0.4(S + CNT)3 leads to structural rearrangements in the glass matrix and changes of the chemical composition of the material. Surface morphology transformation is arising only as a result of the action of sufficiently high intensity and dose of irradiation. There is no significant influence of irradiation by deuterons or protons beam onto ionic conductivity component, while electronic conductivity component was changed according to irradiation parameters and is a consequence of structural rearrangement.