Raman scattering, X-ray photoemission spectra and superconductivity of a tiny Ag diffusion to MgCNi3

The tiny Ag diffusion to MgCNi3 has been prepared by solid states reaction. Its structure was characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The results show that a small mount of Ag substitute for Ni sites, and much of Ag are in vacancy sites of the MgCNi3. We have further studied the surface properties of Ag-MgCNi3 using Raman scattering spectra, and X-ray photoemission spectra (XPS). Raman spectroscopy shows that the Ag-MgCNi3 has a special Raman peak around 842.1 cm-1 compared to that of C. The superconductor transition temperature (about 6.6 K) of Ag-MgCNi3 was lower than that of pure MgCNi3. It was interpreted properly by the conventional BCS phonon mechanism.