Microwave assisted diffusion of Au-nanoclusters in vitreous silica

Gold nanocluster composite glasses were prepared via the evaporation of a thin gold layer, followed by microwave-assisted diffusion. Increased diffusion using a microwave (MW) oven as compared to the traditional diffusion in a muffle furnace is observed and measured. The influence of diffusion temperature and time on diffusion depth and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption bands of the so-obtained gold nanocluster have been studied. The diffusion parameters have been shown to influence the size of the metal nanoclusters and hence, the position of the SPR absorption bands.