Influence of different process conditions on mechanical, optical and surface properties of silver ion exchanged soda-lime silicate glass

Abstract Recently, surface modified functional glasses have been the focus of attention for researchers. Among the other surface modification methods, ion-exchange process has become prominent in terms of cost effectiveness of the process, ease of production, not causing damage to the glass matrix. The aim of this work is to investigate how certain ion exchange and further heat treatment processes affect the mechanical, optical and surface properties of soda-lime silicate glass. The glass samples have been subjected to ion exchange at 320 °C in a molten mixture of AgNO3 and NaNO3 with molar ratios of 2:98, 5:95, respectively and heat treatment under reducing atmosphere (Ar/H2 with a 5% H2 volume fraction mixture). The study is conducted in two parts. The first part involves a batch of characterization on the untreated and the treated glass samples. The characterizations include optical transmittance, absorbance and reflectance measurements by UV–vis-NIR spectrophotometer, FTIR analyses to examine surface properties. Scratch resistance with an increasing load and flexural strength measurements were conducted on the glass samples to determine the mechanical features of the glasses. The second part of the study includes the determination of possible corrosion mechanisms and optical properties changes of the glass surfaces after environmental test. Before and after the environmental test, optical transmission and colour analysis of the specimens were realized by UV–vis-NIR spectrophotometer, FTIR analyses were conducted on the surface of the silver ion-exchanged glass samples in order to observe corrosion reaction by using the reflection technique in the 400–4000 cm−1 wavenumber range. As a result of the study, glass samples with controllable optical, surface and mechanical properties by process parameters, containing silver nanoparticles and resistant to atmospheric conditions are obtained.