Abstract
Gold and silver salt mixtures are incorporated in ceramic glazes for in situ development of mixtures of gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) that subsequently allow for a wide spectrum of low metal loading color control within ceramic materials. Prior work has shown that gold NPs can be used to create vibrant, color-rich red pigments in high-temperature ceramic and glass applications, though the achievable diameter of the gold NP ultimately limits the available range of color. The current study significantly expands color control from traditional gold nanoparticle red through silver nanoparticle green via the alteration of gold-to-silver salt ratios incorporated in the glaze formulations prior to sintering. Nanoparticle-based coloring systems are tested in both oxidative and reductive firing atmospheres. While the oxidation environment is found to be prohibitive for silver NP stability, the reductive atmosphere is able to form and sustain mixtures of gold and silver NPs across a wide color spectrum. All glazes are analyzed via reflectance spectrometry for color performance and samples are characterized via TEM and EDS for composition and sizing trends. This study creates new groundwork for a color-controlled NP system based on noble metal ratio blends that are both nontoxic and achieved with radically lower metal pigment loading than traditional glazes.
Highlights
Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have been important in catalysis [1], biosensors [2], pharmacology [3], and artistic methodology [4,5] due to their versatility and nontoxicity [6,7]to humans
By varying the characteristics of the NP interacting with light, including aspect ratio, shape, and/or composition of the NP, the plasmon band absorption maximum can be systematically varied, resulting in solutions varying in color across the visible spectrum [11]
The simultaneous incorporation of gold and silver salt mixtures within ceramic glazes is explored as a strategy of NP-based color control not otherwise thought possible due to the size limitations of particles due to sintering
Summary
Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have been important in catalysis [1], biosensors [2], pharmacology [3], and artistic methodology [4,5] due to their versatility and nontoxicity [6,7]. One of the applications of Au-NPs that seeks to exploit the surface plasmon effect is their use as an alternative colorant within ceramic glazes [4,5,20]. The use of alloyed NPs in this manner is work-intensive, requires confirmatory characterization, and the material remains susceptible to the same problems during sintering—uncontrolled partial or complete thermal decomposition and reformation (during cooling) To circumvent these issues, an important development was the previously communicated finding that NPs could nucleate and grow from their respective metallic salts in situ (i.e., within the glaze) during kiln firing [22]. The simultaneous incorporation of gold and silver salt mixtures within ceramic glazes is explored as a strategy of NP-based color control not otherwise thought possible due to the size limitations of particles due to sintering. Absorption and reflectance spectroscopy, in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy, are used to establish the methodology, formulation, and execution of an Au NP system that is attenuated with Ag NPs for color control within ceramic glazes
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