Ag-AgO nanostructures on glass substrates by solid-state dewetting: From extended to localized surface plasmons

We present here a study on the modification of morphological and plasmonic properties of Ag thin films deposited on glass substrates upon annealing in air at different temperatures. Initially, Ag films are continuous and exhibit extended surface plasmons with a resonant absorbance that depends on the film thickness. The dewetting process promotes the formation of nanoparticles with different sizes, shapes, and agglomerations states, besides a partial oxidation from Ag to AgO at surface level. The final Ag-AgO nanostructures are dependent on the annealing temperature and initial film thickness. The optical properties evolve from those typical of metallic films with high reflectivity and extended surface plasmon resonance toward localized surface plasmons characteristic of nanoparticles. The optical evolution and the final plasmonic response are evaluated according to the morphological and structural features of nanostructures. Published by AIP Publishing

Ag-AgO nanostructures on glass substrates by solid-state dewetting: From extended to localized surface plasmons

[EN] We present here a study on the modification of morphological and plasmonic properties of Ag thin films deposited on glass substrates upon annealing in air at different temperatures. Initially, Ag films are continuous and exhibit extended surface plasmons with a resonant absorbance that depends on the film thickness. The dewetting process promotes the formation of nanoparticles with different sizes, shapes, and agglomerations states, besides a partial oxidation from Ag to AgO at surface level. The final Ag-AgO nanostructures are dependent on the annealing temperature and initial film thickness. The optical properties evolve from those typical of metallic films with high reflectivity and extended surface plasmon resonance toward localized surface plasmons characteristic of nanoparticles. The optical evolution and the final plasmonic response are evaluated according to the morphological and structural features of nanostructures.This work has been supported by the Ministerio Español de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO) through the projects MAT2017-86540-C4-1-R, MAT2013-48009-C4-1-P and FIS-2008-06249. Project supported by a 2016 BBVA Foundation Grant for Researchers and Cultural Creators. F. R-M. is also indebted to MINECO for a ‘Ramon y Cajal’ contract (Ref: RyC-2015-18626), which is co-financed by the European Social Fund