Nobel Ag–Cu ion-exchange bimetallic nanoclusters formation over gold ion (Au²⁺) implanted materials RBS and optical study

Abstract

The ion-exchange from molten salts is a well-established, low-cost technology capable of altering the chemical–physical properties of glass materials. Technologically driven some glass materials containing metal clusters have attracted quite attention both in cluster research and in possible futuristic applications of such nanoclusters for magnetic or optoelectronic purposes. The amalgamation of transparency and hardness at ambient temperature, combined with a suitable mechanical forte and excellent chemical strength, makes this material essential for many applications in different potential technological fields (such as, for instance, the optical fibers which constitute the physical carrier for high-speed communication networks as well as the transducer for a wide range of high-performance sensors, transparency biomarker etc). In this regard, the formation of bimetallic alloys and core–shell nanostructures inside a soda-lime glass was prepared by simple ion-exchange methods and subjected to optical absorption (OA) studies. Further, an attempt has been made for the first time by a novel route for the synthesis of bimetallic nanoclusters, gold in various doses was directly implanted in a plain soda-lime glass as well as in a copper and silver ion-exchanged soda-lime glass using the tandem accelerator anticipating the core–shell or alloys phase between the metal species. Also, the post implanted gold (Au⁺) metal ions were investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) analysis was performed on the Cu and Ag ion-exchanged samples to confirm the presence of bimetallic clusters formed by ion-exchange during implantation.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Ion exchange
• Ag–Cu alloys
• gold implantations
• radiation effects
• optical
• RBS spectroscopy

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Dr Mathew K Moodly, Professor, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa and Dr Bonex W Mwakikunga, Principal Scientist, NCNSM, CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa helped for the micro-Raman facilities and their extended scientific support. I also thank National Isotope Centre, GNS Science, New Zealand and iThemba LABS, RSA facilities to carry out IBA Techniques of RBS, PIXE analysis for the complementary purpose of this Raman analysis. A.C.F., P. M., D. M., G.K., and E.M. – Designed Experiments; Manuscript Preparation, E.M., D. M., M. M. and D.M. – Conducted Experiments, Acquired Data, Supervision; P.M., E. M., G.Kand D.M. – Drafted Manuscript, Editing, Reviewing; E.M., D.M., S.U., M.M., and E.M. – Novel Ideas, Editing, Formal Analysis, Methodology, Data Interpretations, Scheme Administration, Combined Discussed, Results, Commented Manuscript. D. M. and M. M. – Review, Re-editing, Comprising Work, Internal Funding acquisition; E. M. – Resources, Visualization & Conceptualization, Finalizing Work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Research Samples and scientific data of the compounds are available from the authors. Code availability – based on the request, this will be available from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. C. Ferdinand

Dr. A. C. Ferdinand originated from the famous Silver beach in the Bay of Bengal coastal belt called ‘Cuddalore' town southern part of Tamil Nadu, India. He’s obtained the Ph.D., degree from SCSVMV Deemed University, Kanchipuram and gained immense academic teaching experiences > 22 years in U.G. & P.G. level and published more than dozens of international peer reviewed journal publications. Asides, he has guided more than 35 (M.Phil) Pre-Ph.D., scholars and 50 P.G. research project students so far of academic experiences. His area of research expertise is nano-microstructured thin films and materials sciences and currently working as an assistant professor at P.G. Research & Department of Physics, Periyar Arts College, Cuddalore, India.

D. Manikandan

Dr. D. Manikandan has received the Ph.D., degree from Pondicherry University, currently working as an Assistant Professor at Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Has nearly two decades of teaching experience and field of research is Embedded metal nanoclusters in dielectric matrices. He has published more than 50 Int. Peer Reviewed Journal Publications with Scopus h index ∼ 10 and significant citations. He's guided 4-PhD., students and numerous M.Phil., & P.G. students supervises in the field of noble metals ion nanoclusters formations by simple methods for optical, bio-sensors and dielectric applications as so on.

P. Manikandan

Dr. P. Manikandan currently working as a Professor of Physics at Krishnasamy College of Engineering and Technology, Cuddalore, India. He's completed the Ph.D (Physics) degree from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore in the field of ‘Noble Metal Ion Embedded Nanocomposite Glass Materials for Optical Functionality of UV-Visible Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) X-ray and Electron Microscopic Studies’ followed by the intellectual filing process. He has published numerous journals in the respective file of research with high impact factors. His current research interests include synthesis and characterisation of nanocomposite materials, renewable energy sources and new engineering materials. There are many research publications in the refereed national, international journals and in symposium and conferences.

G. Kavitha

Dr. G. Kavitha currently working as an assistant professor in physics (senior scale) at the P.G. & Research Department of Physics, A M Jain College, Meenambakkam (Government-Aided) affiliated to University of Madras (UoM) since 2009. She's received Ph.D., M.Phil., and M.Sc. (Physics) degrees from UoM, Chennai. India. During the master's studies, she has scored in the same university rank holder and received the Dr. A. P. J. Kalam Cash Prize Meritorious Award, best poster paper award. She has guided more than 15 P.G. students and authored numerous international peer-reviewed journal papers and international/national conference/seminar/workshop presentations, including the South African Nanotechnology Initiative (SANi) Program. She is actively involved for the simple green synthesis of nanoparticles for biomedical, biosensors, and solid-state device applications.

R. Gaur

Mr. R. Gaur working as a scientist at Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, and registered his doctoral program at the Department of Electronics & Comm. Engineering, Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India. His area of research focused in SERS based bio-sensor and fiber optical applications from tuned transition metal and noble elements.

M. Maaza

Dr. M. Maaza received the bachelor's degree in solid-state physics from the University of Oran-Algeria, the master's degree in photonics from Paris VI-France University Marie, and the Ph.D. degree in neutron optics from the University of Paris VI-France. He has about two-decades of experience in nanosciences with a focus on nanophotonics applications. His interest includes investigation of surface-interface phenomena, low dimensional systems and nanomaterials using optical-based spectroscopies, and large facilities, such as synchrotrons and neutron research reactors, while in France, Austria, Russia, and Germany. He has produced numerous formal scientific publications (>280), Scopus h index ∼ 65 and Nature Publishing Scientific Reports. Likewise, he has initiated the South African Nanotechnology Initiative as well as the Nanosciences African Network supported by ICTP and United Nations (UN) Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and IAEA, and for which he is the Chairman Elect. He is the UNESCO-UNISA Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology. He is a Fellow of the African Academy of Science, the Royal Society of Chemistry-London, the Islamic Academy of Science, and the New York Academy of Science. He is in charge of the Africa and International Relations desk of iThemba LABS–National Research Foundation of South Africa. <https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=7003476200>.

E. Manikandan

Dr. E. Manikandan received a PhD degree from Annamalai University with collaborative research work @ Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, and PG & M.Phil. degrees from Bharathidasan & Pondicherry University. During the PhD work, he's a key component in developing atomic-nuclear based accelerator spectroscopy ion-beam lines of PIXE/PIGE and high-resolution RBS. He's currently concentrated on modern functional materials, like nano-metal-oxides/sulphide thin-films and carbon ancestor's materials jointly with Europe, USA, and South American/African-CSIR Foremost Laboratories. His multipolar scientific/analytical/technical expertise has been assistance to the South African National DST/CSIR Innovation Nanocentre, Council for Scientific & Industrial Research, where he spent his vast post-doctoral period followed by a senior research scientist position at the same Centre in Pretoria. He's honoured by United Nations UNESCO-UNISA as a Senior Fellow of the Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology and the NANO sciences–African NETwork: NANOAFNET both are UN-recognized platforms with full and sustainable resources. He has authored over 150 international journals, Scopus h index ∼50 with >7000 Citations, including nature research highlights for the singular nanostructured thin-films for solar-energy harnessing applications. His name appeared in the world to 2% top-ranked Stanford university ranked list of scientific researcher domain in the Thiruvalluvar University-affiliated constituent college, Thennangur divine place.