Abstract
The development of novel manufacturing techniques of nano-/micromaterials, especially metallodielectric materials, has enabled dynamic development of such fields as nanoplasmonics. However, the fabrication methods are still mostly based on time-consuming and costly top-down techniques limited to two-dimensional materials. Recently, directional solidification has been proposed and utilized for manufacturing of volumetric nanoplasmonic materials using the example of a Bi2O3–Ag eutectic-based nanocomposite. Here, we explain the evolution of silver in this composite, from the crystal growth through the post-growth annealing processes. Investigation with tunneling electron microscopy shows that silver initially enters the composite as an amorphous AgBiO3 phase, which is formed as a wetting layer between the grains of Bi2O3 primary phase. The post-growth annealing leads to decomposition of the amorphous phase into Bi2O3 nanocrystals and intergranular Ag nanoparticles, providing the tunable localized surface plasmon resonance at yellow light wavelengths.
Highlights
Plasmonics [1, 2] is currently one of the rapidly developing fields due to its role in enhancing optical properties, which makes it useful for application in solar cell efficiency enhancement [3, 4], cancer treatment [5], improved hard disks [6], lasers [7] and homeused diagnostics [8]
Investigation with tunneling electron microscopy shows that silver initially enters the composite as an amorphous AgBiO3 phase, which is formed as a wetting layer between the grains of Bi2O3 primary phase
The analysis is based on high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area diffraction (SAD)
Summary
Plasmonics [1, 2] is currently one of the rapidly developing fields due to its role in enhancing optical properties, which makes it useful for application in solar cell efficiency enhancement [3, 4], cancer treatment [5], improved hard disks [6], lasers [7] and homeused diagnostics [8]. Though other plasmonic materials have been considered [11, 12], it is still silver in the visible wavelengths, which is most widely used due to its lowest optical losses [13] and highest electrical conductivity at room temperature [14]. After annealing the Bi2O3–Ag eutectic material, metal nanoparticles (silver and bismuth) are formed, which are responsible for the occurrence of plasmonic resonance in the visible wavelength range, at *595 nm. We demonstrate the evolution of silver in a Bi2O3–Ag eutectic starting from the crystal growth, and formation of the microstructure, through the influence of the post-growth annealing of the samples on its micro-/nanostructure and the optical properties. The analysis is based on high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area diffraction (SAD)
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