Enhanced nucleation of Ag nanoparticles by vacancy-type defects in Ar-ions implanted spinel

Abstract Vacancy-type defects are introduced into magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl 2 O 4 (1 1 0)) by Ar-ions implantation, and then Ag-ions are implanted into the depth rich in vacancy-type defects. The ultraviolet–visible spectrometry (UV–VIS) and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) are used to study the influence of vacancy-type defects on nucleation of Ag nanoparticles. After introduction of vacancy-type defects the pronounced increase of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorbance intensity indicates that defects enhance the nucleation of Ag nanoparticles. The PAS results reveal that vacancy-type defects provide pre-nucleating centers for Ag nanoparticles nucleation and growth.