X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of silver nanoparticles in phosphate glass

Phosphate glasses doped with silver nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A study on the relation of Ag binding energies with the optical properties of the nanocomposites has revealed binding energies for 3d doublets higher than those reported for bulk silver with a tendency towards the bulk value with increasing wavelength of surface plasmon resonance peak position. The data is interpreted in terms of quantum confinement effects in small silver clusters and an increase in particle size with plasmon absorption redshift. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.