Structural and optical properties of Eu3+ ions in lead glass for photonic applications

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids 2021-10, Vol.569, p.120988, Article 120988
• Main Authors: Zagrai, Mioara, Suciu, Ramona-Crina, Rada, Simona, Pică, M.E., Pruneanu, Stela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Europium ion; Lead glass; Optical parameters; Photoluminescence properties; Structural investigation
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2021.120988

•xEu2O3∙(100−x)[4PbO2∙Pb] vitreous system were obtained by melt quenching method.•Lead glass have a good solubility for rare earth ions.•Optical absorption spectrum exhibit strong absorption in the ultraviolet.•Color emission shifted from blue to white as a function of europium concentration.•White light emission was obtained for sample with 5 mol% Eu2O3. The new glass system, with the chemical composition xEu2O3•(100 − x)[4PbO2•Pb] where x = 0-10 mol% Eu2O3, obtained by melt quenching method, was investigated by XRD analysis, FTIR, UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy for optical devices applications. The XRD analysis reveals the vitreous structure of the obtained samples. The FTIR absorption spectra reveal the evolution of the [PbO3], [PbO4], and [PbO6] basic structural units in the glass network as a function of the rare earth content. The disintegration of the [PbO6], octahedral structural units into Pb2+ and non-bonding oxygen ion centers was exhibited in UV–Vis spectra. The optical parameters confirmed the formation of non-bridging oxygen ions and defects in the glass network. Under 395 nm excitation wavelengths, the PL spectra showed the simultaneous emission of the Pb2+ and f−f transitions of Eu3+ ions. The Color parameters manifest that the europium doped lead-based glasses are suitable for w-LED.