Studies of copper-silver glass-metal nanocomposites

The studies of bimetallic nanocomposites made in glass by metal ion exchange process and heat treatment in hydrogen atmosphere are presented. The distributions of silver and copper nanoparticles in glass are obtained using secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements and optical absorption spectroscopy. It was shown that in bimetallic nanocomposites containing silver and copper inclusions, copper nanoparticles are closer to the surface than silver ones, and quasi-layered structure of copper nanoparticles can be formed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.