Pd-based alloy nanoclusters in ion-implanted silica: Formation and stability under thermal annealing

In this work we report on the formation and stability under thermal annealing of Pd-Cu and Pd-Ag alloy nanoclusters obtained by sequential ion implantation in silica. The role of the annealing atmosphere on the alloy cluster formation and stability is investigated. A comparison is made with similar alloy-based systems obtained by sequential ion implantation in silica of Au-Ag or Au-Cu followed by annealing under similar conditions, in order to evidence the peculiar effect of the various metals in controlling the alloy evolution and/or decomposition..