Abstract
In this study, the influence of small additives on the spectral and optical properties of Na+–Ag+ ion-exchanged silicate glass is presented. Polyvalent ions, for example, cerium and antimony, are shown to reduce silver ions to atomic state and promote the growth of photoluminescent silver molecular clusters and plasmonic silver nanoparticles. Na+–Ag+ ion-exchanged and heat-treated glasses doped with halogen ions, such as chlorine or bromine, exhibit formation of photo- and thermochromic AgCl or AgBr nanocrystals. Growth of a silver nanoisland film on the glass surface was observed in the case of undoped sample. The presented results highlight the vital role of small additives to control properties of the silver nanostructures in Na+–Ag+ ion-exchanged glasses. Possible applications of Na+–Ag+ ion-exchanged glass ceramics include but are not limited to biochemical sensors based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering phenomena, temperature and overheating sensors, white light-emitting diodes, and spectral converters.
Highlights
We demonstrate that the functionality of PTR glass matrix can be substantially extended via the formation of silver nanostructures inside the glass or on its surface
We suggest that silver nanoisland film (SNIF) on the surface of Na+ –Ag+ ion-exchanged PTR glass surface growth is the result of interaction with the water molecules always present in air
The presented show that the photoluminescence properties of Silver molecular clusters (SMCs) in the PTR In glass tuned in aofwide range by controlling the concentration glass of reducthismatrix work,can the be great effect small additives in sodium–zinc–alumina compo+–Ag+ ion exchange (IE) and subsequent heat treatment ing agents, well asand the optical parameters of the Na sition on theasspectral properties of silver nanostructures grown on the surface
Summary
Sci. Over time, glasses have occupied a particular place among various optical materials due to their wide range of transparency, tuned properties, and workability. Research has focused more on the development of new composite glassy materials, e.g., including materials doped with nanoparticles and/or nanocrystals. Functional glasses that actively interact with light are required. An example of functional optical material is photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass based on a sodium–zinc–aluminosilicate matrix containing halogens (fluorine and bromine) and doped with silver, antimony, and cerium oxides [1,2]. The refractive index of PTR glass is changed after exposure to UV light and the subsequent thermal treatment in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature
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