METAL COATINGS ON SEMICONDUCTOR PARTICLES IN GLASS

Glasses containing semiconductor particles coated with metal were synt hesized and studied. Glasses containing CdS and silver were heated to grow the CdS particles first, followed by the growth of metal on them. The solubility of silver in the CdS glass was increased by changing t he base glass composition. Optical absorption and transmission electro n microscopy results showed that silver coated the CdS particles in th ese glasses. The CdS particles had to be a critical size before silver grew on them. This critical size was calculated from nucleation theor y and was found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. Glasses containing CuCl particles were partially reduced in hydrogen to obtain copper-coated CuCl particles. Absorption spectroscopy and TE M indicated a copper coating on the particles.