Improved photoluminescence and spectroscopic features of Sm3+‒doped alkali borate glasses by embedding silver nanoparticles

Influence of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on the improvement in photoluminescence and spectroscopic features of Sm3+‒doped alkali borate glass synthesized by the melt quenching process was systematically studied and analyzed. The increasing particle size of Ag NPs with the increase of AgCl concentration (0.1 – 0.5 mol%) causes the surface plasmon resonance peak to shift to a higher wavelength (red‒shift) side. Electron microscopic investigation confirmed the presence of silver NPs in the SmLAB‒1 glass sample with a median size of 4.57 nm. A significant enhancement in emission was noticed for 0.1 mol% AgCl concentration. Such improved emission was attributed to the enhanced local electric field by metallic NPs in the vicinity of Sm3+ ions and efficient energy transfer between Sm3+ ions and silver NPs. The Judd–Ofelt parameter, Ω2 decreased as the concentration of Ag NPs increases, indicating increased symmetry and ionicity between the trivalent samarium ions and their ligands. These prepared glass compositions could have applications in solid‒state devices such as LEDs and display applications.