Formation Mechanism of Silver Nanoparticles Stabilized in Glassy Matrices

Abstract

In any given matrix control over the final particle size distribution requires a constitutive understanding of the mechanisms and kinetics of the particle evolution. In this contribution we report on the formation mechanism of silver nanoparticles embedded in a soda-lime silicate glass matrix. For the silver ion-exchanged glass it is shown that at temperatures below 410 °C only molecular clusters (diameter <1 nm) are forming which are most likely silver dimers. These clusters grow to nanoparticles (diameter >1 nm) by annealing above this threshold temperature of 410 °C. It is evidenced that the growth and thus the final silver nanoparticle size are determined by matrix-assisted reduction mechanisms. As a consequence, particle growth proceeds after the initial formation of stable clusters by addition of silver monomers which diffuse from the glass matrix. This is in contrast to the widely accepted concept of particle growth in metal-glass systems, in which it is assumed that the nanoparticle formation is predominantly governed by Ostwald ripening processes.

White luminescence from sol–gel silica doped with silver

“…The high temperature used for annealing the samples (1000°C for 2 h) was effective in producing Ag NPs. The formation mechanism of Ag NPs in ion-exchange glass has been considered by Simo et al [25] and occurs above a critical temperature of 410°C. Although the Ag NP formation process may differ significantly in sol-gel silica glass, it is believed that the annealing conditions that were used resulted in most of the Ag diffusing into NPs and leaving an insignificant amount as ions or clusters.…”

Europium ion influence on the formation of Ag-nanoparticles in fluorine phosphate glasses

“…4), что вызвано ростом кла-стеров Ag 1 -Ag 20 [16]. Последующая термообработка стекла при Т=410 °С в течение 10 мин приводит к значительным изменениям: появляется полоса с максимумом 410 нм, что свидетельствует о росте метал- Проведение ионного обмена в стеклах, содержащих 4 вес.% EuF 3 , в течение 10 мин не приводит к заметному изменению в спектре поглощения, однако после 30 мин ионного обмена наблюдается резкий рост полосы поглощения в области 410 нм (рис.…”

Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Response of Layered Composites Materials Containing Gold Nanoparticles

“…Substrates with high refraction index such as the SL-AH79 glass (n b = 2) and another fabrications techniques such as multitarget rf magnetron sputtering method and ion exchange method are suggested to obtain volume fractions greater than 0.1 for f a [18,19]. Therefore, this kind of fabrication techniques can be explored to make optical structures that take advantages of the NL enhancement studied in this work.…”