Visible and near-infrared photoluminescence enhanced by Ag nanoparticles in Sm³⁺-doped aluminoborate glass

Abstract

Sm³⁺-doped aluminoborate glasses containing Ag nanoparticles have been synthesized via a melt-quenching technique. After heat treatment, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peak of Ag nanoparticles appears approximately at the wavelength λ = 425 nm. With the precipitation of the Ag nanoparticles, the intensities of visible (λ = 600 nm) and near-infrared (λ = 950 nm) photoluminescence are enhanced under excitation at λ = 400 nm up to 39.8% and 25% that of the as-made glass, respectively. Moreover, the excitation of Sm³⁺ at λ = 473 nm for the sample heat-treated at 500 °C shows higher enhancement in near-infrared photoluminescence by 55.5% (λ = 950 nm). This enhancement is attributable to the intensified localized electromagnetic field accompanied by the excitation of SPR. The presence of Ag nanoparticles assists the conversion of UV light into visible and near-infrared light, which can induce a photoelectric effect for Si and other semiconductors used in solar cells.