Photoluminescence and nonlinear optical investigations on Eu2O3 doped sodium bismuth borate glasses for solid state lighting and near-infrared optical limiting applications

•Photoluminescence properties were investigated under blue light excitations.•The studies recommend high Eu3+ activated glasses are beneficial for solid state lighting applications.•Optical nonlinearities and optical limiting properties were investigated using Z-scan.•Non–linear optical and optical limiting investigations suggest the glasses are beneficial for optical limiting applications.