Investigating the thermal stability of ultra-small Ag, Au and AuAg alloy nanoparticles embedded in a silica matrix.

Thermal growth kinetics of embedded bimetallic (AuAg/SiO) nanoparticles are explored and compared with their monometallic (Au/SiO and Ag/SiO) counterparts, as their practical applicability demands stability and uniformity. The plasmonic properties of these nanoparticles (NPs) significantly improve when their size falls in the ultra-small region (diameter < 10 nm), owing to their large active surface area. Interestingly, the bimetallic NPs exhibit better optical properties and structural stability as compared to their monometallic counterparts.

A Combinatorial Study Investigating the Growth of Ultrasmall Embedded Silver Nanoparticles upon Thermal Annealing.

Ultrasmall nanoparticles (NPs) with a high active surface area are essential for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. However, the structural stability and sustainability of these ultrasmall NPs at higher temperatures remain a critical problem. Here, we have synthesized the nanocomposites (NCs) of Ag NPs inside the silica matrix using the atom beam co-sputtering technique.

A study on the consequence of swift heavy ion irradiation of Zn-silica nanocomposite thin films: electronic sputtering.

Zn-silica nanocomposite thin films with varying Zn metal content, deposited by atom beam sputtering technique were subjected to 100 MeV Ag ion irradiation. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry reveals the loss of Zn with irradiation, which is observed to be greater from thin films with lower Zn content. The sputtered species collected on carbon-coated transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids consist of Zn nanoparticles of sizes comparable to those present in the nanocomposite thin film.

Ion beam-induced shaping of Ni nanoparticles embedded in a silica matrix: from spherical to prolate shape.

Present work reports the elongation of spherical Ni nanoparticles (NPs) parallel to each other, due to bombardment with 120 MeV Au+9 ions at a fluence of 5 × 1013 ions/cm2. The Ni NPs embedded in silica matrix have been prepared by atom beam sputtering technique and subsequent annealing. The elongation of Ni NPs due to interaction with Au+9 ions as investigated by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows a strong dependence on initial Ni particle size and is explained on the basis of thermal spike model.

Quasi-aligned gold nanodots on a nanorippled silica surface: experimental and atomistic simulation investigations.

Quasi-aligned gold nanodots with a periodicity of ∼ 40 nm have been synthesized on a silica substrate by oblique deposition of gold on fast argon atom-beam-created nanoripples of wavelength 40 nm and subsequent annealing. The size distribution of these aligned nanodots resulting from oblique deposition at 85° of 0.5 nm Au film perpendicular to ripples is narrower than the similar deposition on a flat surface.

Synthesis of ZnO nanostructures using different metal catalyst: morphology and photoluminescence characteristics.

In the present study, we report the synthesis of ZnO nanostructures using the Vapor-Liquid-Solid growth with different metal catalyst by electron beam evaporation method. As grown samples were characterized by means of Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. FESEM characterization showed the formation of different type of nanostructure depending on the metal catalyst.

Integration of thin-film-fracture-based nanowires into microchip fabrication.

One-step device fabrication through the integration of nanowires (NWs) into silicon microchips is still under intensive scientific study as it has proved difficult to obtain a reliable and controllable fabrication technique. So far, the techniques are either costly or suffer from small throughput. Recently, a cost-effective method based on thin-film fracture that can be used as a template for NW fabrication was suggested.