Doping material with nanoparticles is increasingly used
as an effective
method for improving their mechanical, optical, and sturdiness properties
in many fields. More specifically, effective material development
will depend on our ability to control nanoparticles’ shape,
composition, and size. While crystalline nanophase can be examined
easily, characterization of amorphous nanoparticles remains a challenge.
Here, we investigate the chemical composition of sub-20-nm oxide nanoparticles
grown in rare-earth doped silicate glass through the phase separation
mechanism occurring under heat treatment. Using a combination of analytical
techniques, we demonstrate that nanoparticle composition and, therefore,
the chemical environment of encapsulated rare-earth ions, is nanoparticle
size dependent. This new experimental evidence of composition change
contributes unique insights on the phase separation mechanism that
will lead to better comprehension and will guide development of future
materials.
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