Oxidative control of surface plasmon resonance of bismuth nanometal in bismuth glass nanocomposites

We demonstrate here a novel oxidative process to control the metallic bismuth (Bi°) nanoparticles (NPs) formation in bismuth glass nanocomposites by using KClO4 and KNO3 as oxidant instead of usual reducing technique. The formation of Bi° NPs has been monitored by its distinctive surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 460 nm in the UV–vis absorption spectra. It is further confirmed by the TEM images of Bi° NPs using KNO3 and KClO4 which show the formation of spherical Bi° NPs of 2–15 nm sizes and the SAED pattern reveals their crystalline rhombohedral phase. Using this technique it is possible to control the SPR band of nanobismuth (Bi°) in bismuth glasses.