Irradiance influence on the multicolor photochromism of mesoporous TiO2 films loaded with silver nanoparticles

The photochromism of heterogeneous silver nanoparticles grown thermally in mesoporous TiO2 films is investigated under visible laser illuminations with different irradiances. At low irradiance, a selective oxidation occurs that changes the film color in accordance with the illuminant wavelength. At higher irradiance, the oxidation of large nanoparticles is going with the formation of many small nanoparticles in their vicinity, which gives the films an orangy color whatever the wavelength. This color fades after long exposure times at a laser line. The laser polarization has also an influence on the dichroism of the colored films. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3653282]