The influence of Ag content and annealing time on structural and optical properties of SGS antimony-germanate glass doped with Er3+ ions

• Published in: Journal of molecular structure 2018-05, Vol.1160, p.428-433
• Main Authors: Zmojda, J., Kochanowicz, M., Miluski, P., Baranowska, A., Basa, A., Jadach, R., Sitarz, M., Dorosz, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ag nanoparticles; Antimony-germanate glass; Erbium ions; Local field effect; Luminescence properties; Raman spectra
• ISSN: 0022-2860; 1872-8014
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2018.02.030

A series of erbium doped SGS antimony-germanate glass embedding silver (Ag0) nanoparticles have been synthesized by a one-step melt-quench thermochemical reduction technique. The effect of NPs concentration and annealing time on the structural and photoluminescent (PL) properties were investigated. The Raman spectra as a function of temperature measured in-situ allow to determine the structural changes in vicinity of Ag+ ions and confirmed thermochemical reduction of Ag+ ions by Sb3+ ions. The surface plasmon resonance absorption band was evidenced near 450 nm. The impact of local field effect generated by Ag0 nanoparticles (NPs) and energy transfer from surface of silver NPs to trivalent erbium ions on near-infrared and up-conversion luminescence was described in terms of enhancement and quench phenomena. •Thermally stable SGS antimony-germanate glass co-doped with Ag and Er3+ ions was synthesized.•TEM image confirms the near-spherical shape of silver nanoparticles directly created by melt-quenching method.•The thermochemical reduction of Ag ions has been confirmed by in situ Raman measurements as a function of temperature.•LFE is the major energy transfer factor in enhancement of UC luminescence.