Crystallization and growth mechanisms of nanostructures in silicate glass: From complete characterization toward applications

Soda lime silicate glasses are the perfect matrix for embedding and stabilizing metallic, magnetic, and oxide nanoparticles. We emphasize here that silicate glasses are also perfectly suited for studying growth and crystallization mechanisms of nanoparticles under in situ and ex situ conditions with the methods of small angle neutron scattering, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and anomalous SAXS. Combined with transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, luminescence, and the theory of UV-Vis spectroscopy, a complete characterization can be achieved. We describe two novel crystal formation and growth mechanisms: (i) growth constraint by high viscous shell, and (ii) delayed Ostwald repining. On the basis of this mechanistic understanding, the properties of glasses can be optimized for applications and even novel ceramic and optical devices, such as warm white light Planck emitters can be foreseen.