SmF3 doping and heat treatment manipulated Ag species evaluation and efficient energy transfer from Ag nanoclusters to Sm3+ ions in oxyfluoride glass

Abstract Oxyfluoride glasses containing Ag species (including Ag + ions, Ag nanoclusters and Ag nanoparticles) and Sm 3 + ions were prepared by melt-quenching method. The structure and luminescence properties were studied by absorption spectra, transmission electron microscopy, as well as steady and time-resolved photoluminescence spectra. The experimental results indicated that the doping of SmF 3 can accelerate the formation and growth of Ag nanoclusters due to the introduction of valence-variable Sm 2 +/3 + ions and more F-center clusters in glass host. Besides, benefitting from the size-dependent tunable luminescence properties, the Ag nanoclusters were proved to be an efficient broadband sensitizer for Sm 3 + ions. Heat treatment may but not necessarily improve the photoluminescence intensity of Ag nanoclusters and Sm 3 + ions, depending on the amount of Ag nanoclusters and non-luminescent Ag nanoparticles formatted in the glass host.