The evolution of Ag nanoparticles inside a gas aggregation cluster source

Abstract

In‐situ UV–Vis spectroscopy was used for investigating the evolution of silver nanoparticles (NPs) inside the gas aggregation cluster source (GAS). The light beam probed the interior of the GAS at different distances from the magnetron. Plasmon resonance was detected at 365 nm, with the highest intensity found close to the magnetron due to the NP trapping. Time‐resolved measurements revealed that after the discharge switch off the majority of trapped NPs fly out of the GAS. Part of them is redeposited onto the center of the target due to the electrostatic force. NPs collected at the distance of 20 mm and further from the magnetron demonstrate gradual decrease of the size, pointing to the loss of bigger NPs on the walls.

Nucleation and Growth of Magnetron‐Sputtered Ag Nanoparticles as Witnessed by Time‐Resolved Small Angle X‐Ray Scattering

“…In our previous works, the new findings on the mechanisms of the gas phase formation of Cu NPs were revealed by in situ small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) analysis and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy . As was shown, Cu NPs are formed at a very short distance from the magnetron target; moreover, their average size and the relative volume fraction demonstrate strong nonlinear distribution along the aggregation zone.…”

Synthesis and microstructure investigation of heterogeneous metal‐plasma polymer Ag/HMDSO nanoparticles

“…However, according to the analysis of measured XRD patterns done using MStruct, the mean size of coherently diffracting domains (crystallite size) was 21.8 ± 1.1 nm (Figure 1C). The difference between the size of deposited Ag nanoparticles and crystallite size suggests that the nanoparticles were formed by coalescence of more individual Ag nanoparticles that are according to recent studies created in close vicinity of the sputtered target 22 …”

“…The difference between the size of deposited Ag nanoparticles and crystallite size suggests that the nanoparticles were formed by coalescence of more individual Ag nanoparticles that are according to recent studies created in close vicinity of the sputtered target. 22…”

Enhancing composition control of alloy nanoparticles from gas aggregation source by in operando optical emission spectroscopy

“…Considering the plasmonic properties of noble metal (alloy) NPs, such as AgAu, an in operando monitoring of the plasmon absorption peak by UV–Vis spectroscopy can be applied to obtain information about the NPs. [ 49 ] However, this approach renders very challenging for alloy NPs, due to the extinction coefficient as well as the simultaneous influence of NPs diameter and composition on the plasmon peak's wavelength (Figures S1 and S2). [ 60,61 ] However, by using the identical UV–Vis setup also, direct optical emission lines (OES) from the Ag and Au species in the plasma can be recorded, which consequently makes OES a viable diagnostic approach to be used complementary to in situ UV–Vis.…”

“…[48] Despite this simple relation between operating pressure and NP composition, [48] additional effects have to be considered for long-term depositions. It is known that in a GAS, a significant amount of material can be redeposited on the target surface, [49,50] which in the case of a multicomponent target may impact the alloy composition of the NPs. Furthermore, the erosion profile of the target can affect the NPs synthesis in a GAS.…”