Abstract
Ag:ZrO 2 nanocomposite thin films have been synthesized by a modified sol–gel technique. The effect of post-deposition treatments i.e. thermal annealing and UV irradiation on micro-structural, chemical and optical properties of nanocomposite thin films have been studied by a transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectrophotometer and UV–vis spectrophotometer. Films deposited with a polymeric ZrO 2 sol containing Ag + ions when treated with either thermal annealing or with UV irradiation exhibit formation of Ag:ZrO 2 nanocomposite thin films via decomposition of Ag 2O 3 into metallic Ag. The formed Ag nanoparticles are found predominantly in spherical shape and density of Ag nanoparticles increases with increase in annealing duration for a particular concentration of Ag precursor. A protocol is provided to tailor the surface plasmon resonance-induced absorption peak at wavelength from 454 to 586 nm. These nanocomposite thin films show saturable absorption and exhibit high value of non-linear absorption coefficient.
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