Vitreous material enabling automatic formation of nanostructured metallic film and related applications

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vitreous material characterized by the ability to grow, in a controlled manner, nanostructured films on the surface thereof, on the basis of compounds of typically metallic elements included as dopants in the original composition thereof. The process begins with the automatic formation of nanoparticles on the surface of the material, grown using heat treatment as a function of parameters such as temperature, time and atmosphere type (reducing, neutral or oxidizing) resulting in metallic, oxide or mixed nanostructures, including the core-shell type. The type of doping is also chosen as a function of the applications of the material, which involve use as active substrates in electronic devices and processes, as active parts in sensors and dosimeters, in particular for detecting gases, including hydrogen, in heterogeneous catalysis and as active material for preparing stable nanoparticle solutions, including with size control. The nanoparticles that form the film may be removed when the material is treated with specific solvents, forming isolated nanoparticles after separation and drying of the solvent. The second important feature relates to the fact that the formation of nanostructures (nanoparticles or film) may be restarted any number of times, including following complete removal.