Preparation and characterization of functional and non-functional nano composites

Functional nano composites like Si/ Zn O, Au/ Zn O and non-functional nano composites like Cu/ SiO2 were prepared either by r.f. co-sputtering or by ion-implantation technique. The composite films were prepared with different compositions and thermally treated at different temperatures to study the variation of their optical properties with composition and annealing temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (Tem), and transmission electron diffraction (Ted) techniques were used for their structural characterization. Formation of colloidal metal particle and the semiconductor clusters in the matrix have been confirmed by Tem, Ted and spectrophotometric measurements. (Author)