Laser Treatment of Nanoparticulated Metal Thin Films for Ceramic Tile Decoration

Abstract

This paper presents a new production method of metal-like decorative layers on glazed

Laser‐induced coloration of ceramic tiles covered with magnetron sputtered precursor layers

“…The narrow feature in the spectrum can be attributed to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption by Cu 0 nanoparticles likely covered by an oxide outer layer . A similar coloration effect induced by laser treatment was found in previous work using a metal nanoparticulate film as precursor layer . The aspect changes experienced by sample M1 were accompanied by important modifications in its surface microstructure .…”

“…Sample M4, prepared by annealing the precursor sample in a continuous roller furnace at 893 K, presents a UV‐vis spectrum (Figure A) characterized by an absorption band similar to that of sample M0. This renders a light greenish color that suggests the existence of large size copper oxide clusters . The SEM analysis of this sample confirms that clusters with sizes ranging between 50 and 100 nm are randomly distributed onto a rather flat surface (Figure B‐left).…”

“…The complete coverage of the tile substrate by the copper‐silicon oxide coating was confirmed by X‐ray photoemission (XPS): Cu and Si signals with no observable Zr peak characterized the spectrum of this sample where a Si/Cu atomic ratio of 27 was obtained from the area of the Cu2p and Si2p peaks (c.f., Table ). Analysis of the spectral zones of copper in Figure also revealed that copper is in the form of Cu 2+ as proven by the shape of the Cu2p and CuLMM bands and a value of the measured Auger parameter of 1850.6 eV (for a more detailed discussion of Auger parameter concept and its calculation, see ref. and the Table ).…”

“…The coated samples were treated with either a diode pumped solid‐state nanosecond Nd:YVO 4 laser (Powerline E20; Coherent‐Rofin, Munich, Germany) or a diode pumped fiber Yb:YAG laser (Easy Mark 20; Jeanología Láser, Valencia, Spain), both emitting at a wavelength of 1064 nm . The two lasers were provided with a galvanometer beam steering system and a flat‐field lens of 160 mm focal distance giving a spot size of ca.…”

“…Laser‐induced solid‐state reactions between a coating layer and a ceramic substrate has been also proposed as a way of inducing tile coloration. For example, we have recently reported a hybrid methodology that combines the physical vapor evaporation of copper films and their treatment with a near infrared laser (NIL) to induce a specific coloring of tiles …”