Generation of silver-anatase nanocomposite by excimer laser-assisted processing

Abstract

We demonstrate crystallization of the anatase thin film with self-adhering silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) by a single-step laser process. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) sol-gel precursor film was deposited on glass substrate and Ag ions were adsorbed from silver nitrate aqueous solution. A nanosecond (ns) pulsed beam of KrF (248 nm) laser was traversed across the amorphous Ag-TiO2 film leading to crystallization of the anatase and simultaneous generation of cubic as well as hexagonal Ag NPs. A uniform size distribution of Ag NPs was observed with an average size of 9.6 nm. On the other hand, anatase grains were 38 nm in size as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). Analytical simulations indicated a solid-state diffusion and phase transformation mechanism dominating within the film due to laser treatment.