907 TEM observation of metal nanoparticles in borosilicate glass doped by field-assisted ion exchange

Abstract

Metal (copper and/or silver) ions were doped to borosilicate glass surface by electric field-assisted ion exchange method. Doped ions changed the optical characteristics of glass material. For example, the optical absorption of glass remarkably increased in ultraviolet range. In order to understand the relationship between metal configuration in glass substrate and their optical characteristics, metal-doped areas were observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). As a result, it was found that the doped ions aggregated and formed nanometer-sized (2 〜6 nm) metal particles. Therefore, it was suggested that the change in optical characteristics was caused by the light scattering and absorption by metal nanoparticles.