ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY OF AGBR CRYSTALS AND ADSORBED GELATIN FILMS

Atomic force microscopy of the (111) surface of macroscopic AgBr cryst als revealed steps ranging in height from two atomic layers up to 10 n m, lying predominantly along the [110] and [112] families of crystal d irections. Rods of elemental Ag, formed via photoreduction, were obser ved along the [110] family of directions. Images of adsorbed gelatin f ilms revealed circular pores with diameters of order 10-100 nm, extend ing to the AgBr surface. The length of deposition time, the pH and con centration of the gelatin solution, and the presence of steps on the A gBr surface were observed to affect the size, number, and location of pores in the gelatin films.