Structural properties of silver nanoclusters–phosphate glass composites

The structure of the xAg₂O(100 − x)50P₂O₅·30CaO·20Na₂O] glasses, with x = 0, 3 and 5 mol%, was investigated by means of Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The structural changes induced by the Ag₂O presence into the soda-calcium–phosphate matrix were evidenced and discussed in terms of the network depolymerization process and distortion of the PO₄ tetrahedra. The existence of silver nanoclusters inside the glass matrix, considered to be mainly responsible for the found structural behavior, was supposed by results obtained from the analysis of the UV–vis absorption spectra and further proved by transmission electron microscopy images.