Investigation of Silicate Sol–Gel Glass Doped with Cu2Se and Eu Nanoparticles by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering and Atomic-Force Microscopy

Europium-doped silicate sol–gel glass materials with Cu 2 Se nanoparticles are studied by small-angle neutron scattering and atomic-force microscopy. Based on the experimental data, the structural characteristics of both Cu 2 Se nanoparticles and density fluctuation regions of the glass matrix are obtained. A change in the Eu concentration is found to have almost no effect on the morphology and size of Cu 2 Se nanoparticles. However, local changes were observed in the structure of glass density heterogeneities. Possible structural mechanisms for the formation of such composite nanomaterials of complex composition are discussed.