Protective Action of TAI on Ultra-fine AgBr/I Particles Formed in Aqueous Fish Gelatin Solution

TAI （4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindene） significantly influences ultra-fine AgBr/I particle growth in aqueous fish gelatin. IR spectrum shows that the NH stretching vibration band of TAI is absent in ultra-fine AgBr/I particle/fish gelatin emulsion, indicating the formation of N-Ag bond and the adsorption to AgBr/I particles. By the analysis of UV adsorption spectrum, it is shown that the amount and percentage coverage of TAI adsorbed to ultra-fine AgBr/I particle is related with the physical ripening process of emulsion. With ripening for 5min, the amount of TAI adsorbed per unit area of AgBr/I particle and percentage coverage of TAI on the particle surface reached maximum, which may be attributed to a suitable space structure of TAI-Ag compounds. As the ripening time was prolonged, the adsorption amount per unit area and percentage coverage of TAI adsorbed on the surface of ultrafine AgBr/I particle showed a tendency to level off on the whole, i.e. 1.3 μmol/m2 and 47％～49％, respectively. By TEM observation, the largest average diameter of ultra-fine AgBr/I particles appeared after physical ripening for 5 min. No significant change of the average diameter and size distribution of the particles was observed when the ripening time was prolonged continuously. In the case of TAI addition, the average diameter and growth rate of ultra-fine AgBr/I particles in aqueous fish gelatin solution was obviously smaller than that without TAI addition, indicating TAI protection for ultra-fine AgBr/I particles in emulsion. Under cooperative action of TAI and fish gelatin, the average diameter and size distribution of ultra-fine AgBr/I particles hold relative stability.