TY - JOUR
T1 - Spectroscopic investigation of neodymium and copper co-doped phosphate glass incorporating plasmonic nanoparticles
AU - Jiménez, José A.
N1 - Seeking improvements in the emission from Nd3+ ions in dielectric hosts is currently a topic of interest for applications in laser materials and solar spectral conversion. In this work, the spectroscopic properties of neodymium and copper co-doped phosphate glass were examined focusing on the impact of plasmonic Cu nanoparticles (NPs).
PY - 2023/7
Y1 - 2023/7
N2 - Seeking improvements in the emission from Nd3+ ions in dielectric hosts is currently a topic of interest for applications in laser materials and solar spectral conversion. In this work, the spectroscopic properties of neodymium and copper co-doped phosphate glass were examined focusing on the impact of plasmonic Cu nanoparticles (NPs). Material preparation was achieved by melting and heat treatment processes wherein Nd2O3 (2 mol%) alongside CuO/SnO as redox couple (10 mol%) were added to BaO:P2O5 glass. Characterizations were then performed by dilatometry, UV–Vis-NIR spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. From dilatometry, the coefficient of thermal expansion and glass transition & softening temperatures of the melt-quenched glass were estimated. Absorption spectroscopy revealed the surface plasmon resonance band of Cu NPs around 573 nm in heat-treated glass, while XRD allowed to estimate mean NP size around 30.0 nm. The Raman spectroscopy appraisal indicated a depolymerization effect of the glass induced by dopants, however, supporting no significant structural alterations upon Cu NP inclusion. The Nd3+ PL assessment which encompassed up-conversion and near-infrared emission demonstrated consistent PL quenching in the plasmonic glass, while the lifetimes for the Nd3+ 4F3/2 emitting state were akin to the melt-quenched precursor. The most favorable conditions for using the Nd3+ emission for applications were then achieved in the melt-quenched glass rather than the nanocomposite. It is suggested that energy transfer processes from Nd3+ ions to Cu NPs primarily induce the PL quenching which supersedes any plasmonic local field enhancement effects.
AB - Seeking improvements in the emission from Nd3+ ions in dielectric hosts is currently a topic of interest for applications in laser materials and solar spectral conversion. In this work, the spectroscopic properties of neodymium and copper co-doped phosphate glass were examined focusing on the impact of plasmonic Cu nanoparticles (NPs). Material preparation was achieved by melting and heat treatment processes wherein Nd2O3 (2 mol%) alongside CuO/SnO as redox couple (10 mol%) were added to BaO:P2O5 glass. Characterizations were then performed by dilatometry, UV–Vis-NIR spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. From dilatometry, the coefficient of thermal expansion and glass transition & softening temperatures of the melt-quenched glass were estimated. Absorption spectroscopy revealed the surface plasmon resonance band of Cu NPs around 573 nm in heat-treated glass, while XRD allowed to estimate mean NP size around 30.0 nm. The Raman spectroscopy appraisal indicated a depolymerization effect of the glass induced by dopants, however, supporting no significant structural alterations upon Cu NP inclusion. The Nd3+ PL assessment which encompassed up-conversion and near-infrared emission demonstrated consistent PL quenching in the plasmonic glass, while the lifetimes for the Nd3+ 4F3/2 emitting state were akin to the melt-quenched precursor. The most favorable conditions for using the Nd3+ emission for applications were then achieved in the melt-quenched glass rather than the nanocomposite. It is suggested that energy transfer processes from Nd3+ ions to Cu NPs primarily induce the PL quenching which supersedes any plasmonic local field enhancement effects.
UR - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjb/s10051-023-00564-5
U2 - 10.1140/epjb/s10051-023-00564-5
DO - 10.1140/epjb/s10051-023-00564-5
M3 - Article
VL - 96
JO - The European Physical Journal B
JF - The European Physical Journal B
ER -