Enhancing NIR emission of Yb3+ by silver nanoclusters in oxyfluoride glass

• Published in: Journal of luminescence 2014-08, Vol.152, p.222-225
• Main Authors: Ma, Ronghua, Qian, Jiangyun, Cui, Shuo, Qiao, Xvsheng, Wang, Feng, Fan, Xianping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ag clusters; Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Energy; Energy transfer; Exact sciences and technology; Luminescence; Natural energy; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Oxyfluoride glass; Photovoltaic conversion; Physics; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Yb3
• ISSN: 0022-2313; 1872-7883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2013.10.036

Oxyfluoride glass comprising Yb3+ ions and Ag nanoclusters was prepared via a melt-quenching method. The molecule-like Ag clusters (ML-Ag) in the glass displayed broad absorption and emission bands in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible spectral regions, respectively. The luminescence quantum yield (QY) was determined to be higher than 90%. We observed energy transfer from ML-Ag nanoclusters to Yb3+ ions as evidenced by time resolved luminescence spectra, which resulted in a four-fold enhancement in NIR emission of Yb3+. The luminescence enhancement effect described here would be applied to boost the efficiency of solar cells by converting high energy UV photons into NIR photons that better match the absorption of photovoltaic devices. •Molecule-like Ag nanoclusters were precipitated in the oxyfluoride glass hosts.•The glass had broadband white PL with quantum yield higher than 90%.•The Ag/Yb3+ codoped glass obtained 4-fold enhancement in NIR emission.•The PL enhancement was due to energy transfer from Ag nanoclusters to Yb3+.