Effects of SnO doping on the optical properties of ZnO in glass

Glass ceramics containing Sn doped ZnO nanocrystals were successfully synthesized by the conventional melt quenching and subsequent heat treatment. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that Sn was incorporated into the ZnO nanocrystals formed in the glass-ceramics. With the increase in the doping concentration, ZnO nanocrystals changed from near spherical, to dumbbell-like and twig-like. When the Sn doped ZnO nanocrystals were formed, near- and middle-infrared absorption was greatly enhanced due to the generation of localized surface plasmon resonance. These results indicated that glass-ceramics containing Sn doped ZnO nanocrystals have potentials for energy saving applications.