Synthesis of Au nanoparticles at the surface and embedded in carbonaceous matrix by 150 keV Ar ion irradiation

Abstract

We report on synthesis of spherical Au nanoparticles at the surface and embedded in carbonaceous matrix by 150 keV Ar ion irradiation of thin Au film on polyethyleneterepthlate (PET). The pristine and irradiated samples are characterized by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. RBS spectra reveal the sputtering of Au film and interface mixing, increasing with increasing fluence. Surface morphology shows that at the fluence of 5 × 1015 ions cm−2, dewetting of thin Au film begins and partially connected nanostructures are formed whereas, at the higher fluence of 5 × 1016 ions cm−2, isolated spherical Au nanoparticles (45 ± 20 nm) are formed at the surface. Cross-sectional TEM observations also evidence the Au nanoparticles at the surface and mixed metal–polymer region indicating the formation of nanocomposites with small Au nanoparticles. The results are explained by the crater formation, sputtering followed by dewetting of the thin Au film and interdiffusion at the interface, through molten zones due to thermal spike induced by Ar ions.

In situ investigation of ion-induced dewetting of a thin iron-oxide film on silicon by high resolution scanning electron microscopy

“…[6][7][8] In addition to our experiments, it was reported that ions in the keV/u range (nuclear energy loss regime) may also cause dewetting effects even for metallic films. [9][10][11][12] From the observed patterns in our SHI experiments, we concluded that the same nucleation mechanisms as for the above mentioned polymers were active and we even found some hints for a spinodal-like process. However, the type of (ex situ) experiments we were able to conduct at that time turned out to be not the most appropriate ones, since for a) Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.…”

Shift of localized surface plasmon resonance by Ar-ion irradiation of Ag–Au bimetallic films deposited on Al2O3 single crystals

“…Therefore, ion beam mixing attracts much attention for their ability to produce ion modified materials with higher solute concentrations at lower irradiation fluences than can be achieved with conventional high-fluence implantation techniques. At the same time, the energy deposition for the energetic ion can effectively induce mass transfer and result in irradiation-enhanced diffusion [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. This diffusion will lead to the lateral transport of metal atoms, and therefore the spinodal dewetting of thin metal films [21].…”

Формирование наночастиц Au и особенности травления подложки Si после облучения атомарными и молекулярными ионами

“…Это позволяет получать частицы размером от 10 до 50 нм в зависимости от толщины исходной пленки, температуры и времени формирования. Кроме того, недавно было показано, что облучение быстрыми электронами [10] и ионами [11,12] тонких металлических плeнок на поверхности различных подложек также приводит к образованию наночастиц. Данный способ потенциально может позволить тонко контролировать распределение размеров получаемых AuNPs путeм варьирования параметров падающего пучка: тип ионов, энергия, доза.…”