Preparation of silver doped silica sol-gel layers

Homogenous silicate layers containing silver nanoparticles were prepared by, the sol-gel method and deposited on the glass substrate by the dip-coating technique. The sol consisted of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS), aminopropyltriethoxysilane (A TEOS), ethanol (EtOH), silver nitrate (AgNO3), nitric acid (HNO3) and demineralised water. The optimal ratio of components and conditions in relation 10 the quality, and the homogeneity of the layers were established The prepared layers were homogenous: with electron microscopy, a fine texture without silver particles was observed. Samples treated at temperatures up to 250 degrees C and above 500 degrees C were yellow, between 300 and 4.50 degrees C were colourless. The coloration intensity increased with the treatment time. The immersion time of the substrate in the sol had no influence on the samples coloration. On the contrary, the increasing pull-up speed intensified the layers coloration. The optical quality of prepared layers deteriorated significantly, above the pulling speed of 90 mm/min.