Spectroscopic attributes of Er3+ ions in antimony phosphate glass incorporated with Ag nanoparticles: Judd-Ofelt analysis

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 712; pp. 781 - 794
• Main Authors: Moustafa, S.Y., Sahar, M.R., Ghoshal, S.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 25.07.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Absorption spectra; Antimony; Antimony phosphate glasses; Chemical bonds; Cross-sections; Enlargement; Erbium isotopes; Judd–Ofelt parameters; Local field effect; Luminescence; Nanoparticles; Phosphate glass; Photoluminescence; Quenching; Silver; Silver nanoparticles; Solid state lasers; Spectroscopy; Spectrum analysis; Local field effect; Judd–Ofelt parameters; Antimony phosphate glasses; Silver nanoparticles; Luminescence
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.04.106

This paper reports the detailed Judd-Ofelt (J-O) analysis of Er3+-doped antimony phosphate glass system incorporated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Such glass system of composition (59.5-x)Sb2O3–35P2O5–5MgO–0.5Er2O3–xAgCl (0 < x < 0.9 mol.%) are synthesized via melt-quenching method. Samples are characterized to determine the influence of Ag NPs concentration dependent modifications in the spectroscopic properties. TEM image manifested the nucleation of Ag NPs of average diameter 4.6 nm and their homogeneous dispersion in the glass matrix. Three surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption bands of Ag NPs are probed at 544, 570 and 628 nm. UV–Vis–NIR spectra of glass samples exhibited ten significant absorption peaks of Er3+ ion. Bonding of Er3+ ions with ligands is changed from ionic to covalent character. J-O analysis demonstrated significant increase of Ω2 with increasing the concentration of Ag NPs which indicated an improvement in the covalency and asymmetry of Er3+ ions environment. Down-conversion photoluminescent (PL) spectra displayed eleven emission bands of Er3+ ions in which the intensities are enhanced significantly (as much as 17.33-fold for sample containing 0.5 mol% of Ag NPs) due to the incorporation of Ag NPs. This intensity enlargement is mainly attributed to the SPR mediated local field effect induced by Ag NPs. The achievement of high stimulated cross-section of this glass system makes them prospective for solid state lasers. •Er3+-doped antimony phosphate magnesium glass incorporated with Ag Nanoparticles is prepared and studied.•The effect of Ag NPs concentration changes on the physical, absorption and emission properties are determined.•Judd-Ofelt radiative and intensity parameters are calculated and analyzed.•The glass is beneficial for the development of optical displays, solid state lasers and optical memory devices.