Flashed copper and silver luster nano-structures: Characterization and technology

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the investigation of a particular type of luster experimentally produced by evaporating, depositing and embedding copper and silver nano-particles in a lead-free glaze. Various proportions of silver nitrate and copper acetate were heated, flashed and reduced on a zircon-opacified white glaze to achieve reduced flashed copper and silver metal-like luster (RFCSL). Reducing flashed copper and silver, two golden and red coppery metallic layers were developed which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), micro-Raman spectroscopy (μ-Raman), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The results showed that spherical silver nano-particles (10–100nm in diameter) were developed near the glaze surface creating a golden metallic shine. Copper nano-particles, however, were either very small (about 5nm in diameter) or had created dimmers with silver nano-particles yielding a red coppery metallic layer.