Influence of glass network connectivity on Ag+ diffusion and evolution of silver cluster states during heat treatment

Key Points

• Ag+ diffusion is significantly affected by glass network connectivity, influencing silver cluster formation.
• A critical finding shows that higher connectivity leads to reduced Ag+ ion mobility, impacting cluster sizes during heat treatment.
• Molecular dynamics simulations reveal detailed interactions between Ag+ ions and the glass matrix, providing insights into diffusion dynamics.
• Understanding these mechanisms may enhance applications in materials science, particularly in electronic and optical devices.