Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of silver ions embedded nanocomposite glass

Silver nanocomposites (Ag-NCs) glasses are formed by the ion exchange technique of dipping the host matrix in the molten metal salt bath. These ions exchanged glasses are then annealed at different temperatures in air for one hour. They exhibit striking linear and nonlinear optical properties with potential applications in the field of photonics materials. The optical absorption spectra of Ag ion exchanged and annealed glasses confirm the presence of the nano sized metal (Ag) cluster embedded inside the glass matrix. The size and morphology of the embedded silver nanoclusters are studied from their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Post Ag ion exchange made some structural changes in the soda lime glass which can be observed from Raman spectroscopy. It is observed that diffusion process lead to depolymerization of the glass network as it determined by analyzing the various peaks of SERS spectra. Significant enhancement in the Raman signal by these Ag-NCs, prove them as effective SERS substrates.