Evolution in the Oxidation Valences and Sensitization Effect of Copper Through Modifying Glass Structure and Sn 2+ /Si Codoping

• Published in: Journal of the American Ceramic Society 2015-07, Vol.98 (7), p.2078-2085
• Main Authors: Lv, Tian‐Shuai, Xu, Xu‐Hui, Yu, Xue, Qiu, Jian‐Bei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0002-7820; 1551-2916
• DOI: 10.1111/jace.13599

Currently, coupling noble metal species with rare‐earth cations ( REI ) in amorphous materials has attracted persistent attention, owing to the significant rise in the emission intensity and nonlinear optical response, which allow various potential applications in photoelectric fields. However, the primary investigations are focused on Au‐ and Ag‐doped systems, and there are few systematic reports concerning the interaction between REI and the different oxidation states of copper so far. Herein, we demonstrated the evolution of copper oxidation valences from Cu 2+ to Cu + , and then to Cu 0 (Cu NP s), and the corresponding effects on Tb 3+ emissions in borate glasses were systematically investigated by modifying glass structure and Sn 2+ /Si codoping. With increasing the ratio of B 2 O 3 to Li 2 O, enhancement of reduction efficiency of Cu 2+ to Cu + was observed. Impressively, the ns 2 ‐type Sn 2+ emission centers not only generate efficient sensitizers for Tb 3+ but also lead to efficient reduction in Cu 2+ to Cu + . Based on absorption/transmittance, photoluminescence excitation/emission, and time‐resolved decay spectra, the interplay mechanisms between Tb 3+ and the different valences of copper were discussed in detail.