UV-irradiation effects on tuning LSPR of Cu/Ag nanoclusters in ion exchanged glass matrix and its thermodynamic behaviour

Cu/Ag nanoclusters were grown in a soda-lime glass matrix by an ion-exchange method followed by ultra violet (UV)-irradiation. In this article, the present study has been focused on the nucleation and growth of Cu/Ag nanoclusters under the influence of UV-irradiation. The sizes calculated from the transmission electron microscopy results were closely matched with those obtained from Mie theory-based results. The results revealed that the spherical shaped Cu/Ag nanoclusters were incorporated into the glass matrix under the influence of UV-irradiation and the size of the Cu/Ag nanoclusters varied from 25 nm to 37 nm. The optical, structural, morphological and chemical state were further studied by using UV–Vis. absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Plasmonic and thermodynamic behaviour of the Cu/Ag nanoclusters were tuned by the UV irradiation and have been explained at variable irradiation time. The distribution and optimization of the Cu/Ag nanoclusters were further investigated using enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS) and Gibbs energy (ΔG) physicochemical activities and their interdependence for the nucleation and growth of Cu/Ag nanoclusters under the influence of UV irradiation. The UV–irradiation induced and Cu/Ag nanostructure growth process. Their growth impact on optical and thermodynamic properties were explored.