Discrete dipole approximation studies of silver nano crystals in sol-gel silica

Silver nanoparticles have garnered appreciable attention because of their distinctive characteristics that result from the stimulation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). They are very much successful commercially, due to their excellent conductivity, chemical stability, catalytic activity, and antibacterial activity. In this work we are presenting, silver nanocrystals (AgNCs) doped silica glassy materials prepared using sol-gel technique. The formation of silver nanocrystals was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron micrograph (HRTEM). Further studies prove Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of AgNCs in the system between the wavelength range 350-470nm. Numerical calculation of SPR of AgNCs with spherical morphology was also done on the basis of discrete dipole approximation (DDA).