Phosphosilicate–polyamidoamine hyperbranched polymer–Er³⁺ nanocomposite toward planar optical waveguide applications

Phosphosilicate (SiPh)/hyperbranched polyamidoamine (HYP)/Erbium (Er⁺³) hybrid nanocomposite (SiPh‐HYP‐Er⁺³) was prepared as novel optical planar waveguide material in two different forms, monolith and thin film. HYB was synthesized by one‐pot polymerization reaction via couple monomer methodology. Afterward, SiPh‐HYP‐Er⁺³ nanocomposite was prepared by doping the HYB and Er⁺³ nitrate into phosphosilicate matrix by using sol–gel technique. The prepared (SiPh‐HYP‐Er⁺³) nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Adjustable refractive indices (RIs) have been calculated for SiPh‐HYP‐Er⁺³ nanocomposites. The Vis–NIR photoluminescence emission spectra for monolith and thin film of SiPhEr⁺³ and SiPh‐HYP‐Er⁺³ nanocomposites under excitation of Ar‐Laser with 514 nm wavelength were dominated by an emission band centered at around 1.54 µm region. That band was assigned to ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition and the 4f‐transition state of Er⁺³ ions which was influenced by the presence of the hyperbranched polymeric material leading to coordination and Er⁺³ ions complex formation with the hyperbranched polymers. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2029–2038, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers