Structural changes of soda-lime silica glass induced by a two-step ion exchange

Introduction of silver or copper ions in soda-lime silica glass has been investigated by studying the data obtained from optical absorption measurements and the transmission electron microscopy performances. It has been stated that the optical and structural characteristics of the doped specimens are effectively controlled by the dopant concentrations and parameters of both, the ion-exchange procedures and the annealing treatments applied afterwards. By sequential ion exchange of as received specimens in molten baths of Cu2Cl2 and (AgNO3 in NaNO3), the composition and electronic structure of the elemental-nanoclusters have been altered. Moreover, depending on the order of annealing, different microstructures were created in the fabricated composites. Like this, the two-step exchange determines a new engineering way new materials with desired optical properties could be produced.