Selective preparation of Ag species on photoluminescence of Sm³⁺ in borosilicate glass via Ag⁺‐Na⁺ ion exchange

Abstract

Photoluminescence (PL) of rare earth ion‐doped glasses could be enhanced by diverse Ag species such as Ag+ ions, Ag+‐Ag+ pairs, Ag nano‐clusters (NCs), and Ag nanoparticles (NPs). Selective preparation of silver species in rare earth ion‐doped glasses is a crucial step to obtain the luminescence enhancement of rare earth ions caused by the different silver species. In this work, Ag+ ions and Ag NCs were selectively prepared in the Sm3+‐doped borosilicate glass via the Ag+‐Na+ ion exchange. The influence of AgNO3/NaNO3 ratio in the molten salt on the Ag existing states was investigated. The results demonstrate that the isolated Ag+ ions exist in the Sm3+‐doped borosilicate glass when the ratio of AgNO3/NaNO3 is 1/1000. The Ag NCs are formed in the Sm3+‐doped borosilicate glass when the AgNO3/NaNO3 ratio is 1/10. The influence of Ag+ ions or Ag NCs on the PL of Sm3+ was systematically investigated. The results show that the PL of Sm3+ was enhanced by the energy transfer from Ag+ ions or Ag NCs to Sm3+.

Influences of copper–potassium ion exchange process on the optical bandgaps and spectroscopic properties of Cr3+/Yb3+ co-doped in lanthanum aluminosilicate glasses

“…21 For example, in many previous researches [22][23][24] as well as in our recent work, 25 it was shown that the coinage ions introduced by the ion exchange processes could signicantly affect the optical properties of the glasses such as the refractive index, the optical density, the nearinfrared emission spectrum, or even chemically strengthen the glasses 26,27 as well as modify glass structure. 28 Through the ion exchange process, the Cu + and Cu 2+ ions, as well as Ag + ions, could be ejected into the surfaces of the glasses, 22,24,[29][30][31][32] then become neutral copper or/and silver atoms and grow into copper or/and silver nanoparticles (CuNPs or/and AgNPs). 24,29,32 Therefore, the ion exchange process between copper or/and silver cations and alkali cations to enhance the luminescence of Cr 3+ /RE 3+ co-doped has been studied in recent times.…”

“…3,12,19 In fact, the ion exchange process between coinage ions and alkali ions has many advantages compared with other traditional methods. 21 For example, in many previous researches 22–24 as well as in our recent work, 25 it was shown that the coinage ions introduced by the ion exchange processes could significantly affect the optical properties of the glasses such as the refractive index, the optical density, the near-infrared emission spectrum, or even chemically strengthen the glasses 26,27 as well as modify glass structure. 28 …”

“…Since then, we have been interested in enhancing emissions and optical properties of Cr 3+ /Yb 3+ codoped in the glasses. 17,18 To this aim, embedding the coinage ions (such as, Ag + , Cu + ions) into the glass through the ion exchange process [20][21][22] is one of the different solutions which brought about positive results. 3,12,19 In fact, the ion exchange process between coinage ions and alkali ions has many advantages compared with other traditional methods.…”

“…Through the ion exchange process, the Cu + and Cu 2+ ions, as well as Ag + ions, could be ejected into the surfaces of the glasses, 22,24,29–32 then become neutral copper or/and silver atoms and grow into copper or/and silver nanoparticles (CuNPs or/and AgNPs). 24,29,32 Therefore, the ion exchange process between copper or/and silver cations and alkali cations to enhance the luminescence of Cr 3+ /RE 3+ co-doped has been studied in recent times.…”

Instantaneous Color Tuning of Upconversion Emission in a Novel Lanthanide-Doped Monolithic Glass via Excitation Modulation

“…Lanthanide-ion-doped glasses were considerably investigated as luminescent materials for different photonic and optoelectronic applications due to their high transparency in broad wavelengths and easy manufacturing techniques compared to crystals and powders. 22 Besides, low phonon energy is one of the most desirable properties expected from an UC host as it reduces nonradiative transition rates. 23 Hereupon, tellurite glasses possess one of the lowest phonon energies (600−850 cm −1 ) among all oxide glasses.…”