Silver sulphide, Ag₂S, layers on the surface of polypropylene (PP) film was formed by chemical bath deposition method (CBD). Film samples were characterised by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The surface morphology, texture, and uniformity of the silver sulphide layers were formed on PP surface dependent on the number of polymer immersions in the precursor solution. XPS analysis confirmed that on the surface of the polypropylene film, a layer of Ag₂S was formed. ATR‐FTIR and FTIR spectra analysis showed that the surface of Ag₂S layers is slightly oxidized. All prepared layers gave multiple XRD reflections, corresponding to monoclinic Ag₂S (acanthite). The Ag₂S layer on polypropylene was characterized as an Ag⁺ ion selective electrode in terms of potential response and detection limit. The electrode was also tested as an end‐point electrode for argentometric titration of thiamine hydrochloride.

Increasing photon absorption by capturing light is an important way to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. In this regard, the small optical band gap (E_g) and high absorption coefficient of Se-containing thin nanofilms make them ideal for next generation photovoltaic devices based on selenides. Amorphous selenium was introduced into polyamide-6 (PA 6) via a chemical synthesis in a bath and the influence of the products of its reaction with Cd²⁺ and Ag⁺ ions on the film phase composition, topographic and optical properties were evaluated. AFM data have revealed that the surface roughness of the a-Se/PA 6 composite noticeably increases compared to that of unreacted PA 6. However, at later stages of film deposition, the roughness decreases, and the thin film becomes smoother and uniform. The incorporation of solid inorganic nanoparticles into flexible polyamide network causes chain stretching, which has been confirmed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy data. The data of X-ray diffraction analysis, depending on the stage of synthesis, showed the crystalline composition of the film with peaks of Se₈, CdSe, Ag₂Se and Ag, which may explain the observed optical properties. The optical properties of the composites indicate a shift in the band gap from 4.46 eV for PA 6 to 2.23–1.64 eV upon the stepwise deposition of amorphous Se, CdSe and Ag₂Se. E_g is conveniently located in the visible region of solar energy, making the obtained nanofilms ideal for solar energy harvesting.

Ag–Se nanostructure films were deposited on a–Se/nylon templates by a template-engaged reaction. Firstly, amorphous selenium (a–Se) was deposited on nylon by employing the chemical bath deposition method while using H₂SeO₃ and Na₂SO₃ solutions with an increasing selenium deposition time. Then, these a–Se/nylon templates were exposed into AgNO₃ solution at ambient temperature and pressure. The Ag–Se/nylon nanocomposites surface morphology, elemental and phase composition, and optical properties were monitored depending on the selenium deposition time on nylon. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the development of a very complex surface composed of pyramidal-like sub-micron structures, agglomerates, and grid-like structures. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) proved the presence of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, selenium, and silver. SEM/EDS cross-sectional analysis confirmed the multilayer character with different individual elemental composition in each film layer. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a polycrystalline Ag₂Se phase with or without metallic Ag. The RMS value obtained from atomic force microscopy varies from 25.82 nm to 57.04 nm. From the UV-Vis spectrophotometry, the direct optical band gaps were found to be 1.68–1.86 eV. Ag–Se/nylon composites exhibit high refractive indices in the near infrared region.

The aim of the research was to modify the surface of construction textiles by means of the use of thin silver oxide films, investigate the structure and optical and mechanical properties, and determine the structure, optical and mechanical properties of the aged composites. Thin films of silver oxide (Ag₂O) were synthesized on a flexible PET/PVC construction textile (CT); the structural, optical, and physical properties, as well as the effect of artificial aging on these properties, were investigated. The SILAR method (successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction) was used to synthesize thin Ag₂O films on the CT surface. Before the thin films were deposited, the CT surface was mechanically roughened and pretreated with acidic and alkaline solutions at an elevated temperature. XRD analysis showed that the deposited films were a polycrystalline mixed phase material consisting of Ag₂O, AgO, and metallic Ag. Diffuse reflectance spectra in the ultraviolet and visible ranges (UV-Vis) were used to study the optical properties of the deposited thin films. The synthesized Ag₂O/CT composites were direct-gap semiconductors (the optical band gap (E_g) was 0.89 ± 0.02 eV). E_g and refractive indices (n) increased as the aging tests were carried out. Higher E_g and n meant that the composites were a good material for optoelectronic applications. The results showed that, after modification, the structural properties and tear strength of the PET/PVC fabric remained the same while the tensile strength decreased. The same tendencies remained after artificial aging.

The synthesis of thin films in multilayer structures on different textiles is of interest due to their potential use in flexible solar absorber coatings and thin-film solar cells. The aim of the study was to deposit bismuth(III) sulphide and copper(II) sulphide thin films on various textiles at the same time. This was achieved using the sustainable and cost-effective successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The study examined how the elemental distribution, phase composition, crystallinity, surface morphology, and optical features of the resulting films are determined by the intrinsic structure and material makeup of structural textiles. The analysis used data from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Depending on the textiles used, the formed films were polycrystalline and rich in copper. According to the findings, the normalised atomic percentages were as follows: Cu, 57.66–68.75%; Bi, 1.19–5.26%; S, 30.06–38.63%. The direct transition optical energy gap values varied from 1.3 to 2.88 eV, while the indirect varied from 0.9 to 2.25 eV, and the refractive index from 1.3 to 1.8. These properties were influenced by the composition of the textiles and the films themselves. These properties directly impact the films’ applications.