# Silver chloride, AgCl

AgCl, or silver chloride, is an ionic compound that crystallizes in a face-centered cubic lattice. It is well-known for its photosensitivity, undergoing photodissociation into silver and chlorine upon exposure to ultraviolet or visible light. This property has historically made it valuable in photographic emulsions, similar to its counterpart AgBr. AgCl is also a material of interest in various optoelectronic applications, including photodetectors and waveguides. With a wide bandgap and high refractive index, AgCl serves as an effective material for devices requiring specific optical characteristics such as high transparency in the visible range. Moreover, AgCl is often used as an antireflection coating on optical components because of its low absorption coefficients. It's worth noting that the material is hygroscopic and can undergo chemical changes when exposed to moisture, which necessitates careful storage and handling. Recently, AgCl nanostructures have been investigated for their plasmonic properties and potential applications in sensing and catalysis. In summary, AgCl is a multifaceted material with a long history in photography that continues to be studied for its promising optical and electronic features.

## External links

- Silver chloride - Wikipedia
- Silver chloride - WebElements
- Silver Chloride (AgCl) - ICL
- Silver Chloride (AgCl) - Crystran