Photoluminescence and thermoluminescence properties of SnO2 nanoparticles embedded in Li2O-K2O-B2O3 with Cu-doping

Abstract

Cu-doped borate glass co-doped with SnO2 nanoparticles is fabricated by melt quenching. The structure and morphology of the samples are examined by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Up-conversion enhancement is observed in the photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) intensities of the glass. PL emission spectra are identified in the blue and green regions, and a fourfold increase in emission intensity may be observed in the presence of embedded SnO2 nanoparticles. The glow curve is recorded at 215 • C, and fourfold increases in TL intensity are obtained by addition of 0.1 mol% SnO2 nanoparticles to the glass. Higher TL responses of the samples are observed in the energy range of 15-100 KeV. At energy levels greater than ∼0.1 MeV, however, flat responses are obtained. The activation energy and frequency factor of the second-order kinetic reaction are calculated by the peak shape method.