The effects of Sn upon O and Ag diffusion into the upper and lower faces of soda–lime–silica float-glass were reported. It was found that O diffusion from the atmosphere, and into the lower face at temperatures above the glass transition temperature was strongly suppressed near to the surface region of the glass. This was not observed in the case of the upper face. This behavior was attributed to the effect of chemical reactions between the diffused O and Sn2+ near to the surface of the glass. The Ag diffusion was also influenced by the Sn, due to chemical reactions of Ag+ ions with Sn2+; leading to the precipitation of nm-sized Ag crystals. As a result, the coloration due to the surface plasmon resonance of the Ag crystals was significantly different, between the upper and lower faces, because of differences in the nucleation and growth processes which were associated with the Ag crystals.

Oxygen and Silver Diffusion into Float Glass. H.Takeda: Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 2006, 352[36-37], 3910-3