The structural and optical response of the Au nanoparticles embedded in YSZ modified using high-energetic ion irradiation

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were synthesized in single-crystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) using a high-energetic gold ion implantation with the intention of subsequent modification by silicon irradiation. (100)-oriented YSZ samples implanted 1 MeV Au + ions at room temperature and fluences 1.5×10 16 cm −2 , 5.0×10 7.5×10 subsequently annealed for h 1100 °C air. NPs was realized irradiation 10 Si 3+ fluence 14 . distribution structure studied. as-implanted ions, irradiated characterized Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) RBS channelling mode (RBS-C). The spectra show that Auions concentrate sub-surface layer depth about 50-250 nm shift to greater increasing fluence. slightly increased Zr sub-lattice disorder. Optical absorbance shows an increase absorption band 550 after only two highest fluences. After annealing irradiation, optical 530-580 connection ions.