Spectral-luminescent properties of silver clusters Ag1-5 in the ion-exchange layer of silicate glass

This work demonstrates for the first time the selectivity of silver molecular clusters luminescence in silicate glass formed by the ion exchange method from a salt melt containing 0.1 mol.% silver nitrate (AgNO3) and 99.9 mol.% sodium nitrate (NaNO3). Commercial silicate microscope slides of the following system were used: SiO2-Na2O-K2O-CaO-MgO-Al2O3 with Fe2O3-SO3 impurities. Molecular clusters were obtained by low-temperature ion exchange in a melt of 0.1 % AgNO3/99.9 % NaNO3 mol.% for 10 and 15 min at 320 °C. The luminescent properties of silver molecular clusters in the ion-exchange layer of microscope slides were studied. Bands of silver clusters of different sizes (Ag1-5) were found in the luminescence spectra. In this case, clusters Ag1-3 are excited by shorter wavelengths, and clusters Ag4-5 only by far ultraviolet and visible radiation up to 500 nm. In the process of ion exchange lasting up to 10 minutes, the appearance of luminescence selectivity was revealed, which occurs due to the presence of a low concentration of silver clusters of different sizes Ag1-5 in the ion-exchange layer. The obtained results can be used in the development of a photosensitive element for a selective ultraviolet radiation detector.