Kinetics of Ag nanoparticle growth in thick SiO2 films: An in situ optical assessment of Ostwald ripening

► In situ optical monitoring of Ag:SiO2 films during heat treatment in air. ► Kinetics of Ag nanoparticle growth in SiO2 matrix assessed in real time. ► Elucidation of Ag particle growth mechanisms. ► Determination of activation energy for Ostwald ripening.