Investigation of the Properties and Applications of Nano Structured Silver Thin Films in Enhancing the Performance of Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems

This study explores the growth behavior, microstructure, and antibacterial performance of electrodeposited silver (Ag) thin films on different substrates, with particular attention to their application in water and wastewater treatment systems. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses reveal that substrate material strongly affects film morphology: Ag films on copper (Cu) show compact granular structures, while those on Au₂PdAg/glass exhibit surface cracks that impair antibacterial effectiveness. XRD patterns confirm the polycrystalline nature of the films with preferential (111) orientation, known for its high surface energy and ion-release efficiency. Crystallite size evolution follows a dynamical scaling law with a growth exponent β ≈ 0.67, indicating anomalous roughness behavior. Log-normal grain size distributions and SEM analyses yield a dynamic exponent of 1/z ≈ 0.63, suggesting three-dimensional cluster growth involving the full cluster surface in mass transport. Increased film thickness leads to higher surface roughness, as confirmed by X-ray reflectivity, which improves hydrophilicity and ion transport. Despite grain growth reducing specific surface area, roughness compensates by enhancing ion release and structural durability. Additionally, film density values obtained from reflectivity are lower than bulk Ag, likely due to porosity and oxidation. These findings underscore the importance of controlling thickness and substrate compatibility to optimize the antibacterial efficiency and stability of Ag thin films for aqueous environments.