The influence of Ag species on spectroscopic features of Tb3+-activated sodium-aluminosilicate glasses via Ag+-Na+ ion exchange

Different ionic silver species and Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were prepared by Ag+-Na+ ion exchange method in Tb3+-doped sodium-aluminosilicate glasses, and the interaction between Ag species and Tb3+ ions was studied. Two excitation peaks centered at 280 nm and 375 nm which ascribed to Ag+ and Ag aggregates (Ag-2(+), Ag-3(+) ...) respectively were observed in as-made glasses. Owing to energy transfer (ET) from Ag+/silver aggregates to Tb3+, significant enhancements of Tb3+ emission were observed under certain excitation. After heat treatment, the results of absorption spectrum and TEM patterns revealed that silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with diameter of about 5 nm were formed in glasses, and it was found that the Ag NPs led to a significant enhancement in Tb3+ luminescence under 375 nm excitation. A possible mechanism of energy transfer from Ag species to Tb3+ ions was proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.