Phosphosilicate-polyamidoamine hyperbranched polymer-Er3+ nanocomposite toward planar optical waveguide applications

Phosphosilicate (SiPh)/hyperbranched polyamidoamine (HYP)/Erbium (Er+3) hybrid nanocomposite (SiPh-HYP-Er+3) was prepared as novel optical planar waveguide material in two different forms, monolith and thin film. HYB was synthesized by one-pot polymerization reaction via couple monomer methodology. Afterward, SiPh-HYP-Er+3 nanocomposite was prepared by doping the HYB and Er+3 nitrate into phosphosilicate matrix by using sol-gel technique. The prepared (SiPh-HYP-Er+3) nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Adjustable refractive indices (RIs) have been calculated for SiPh-HYP-Er+3 nanocomposites. The Vis-NIR photoluminescence emission spectra for monolith and thin film of SiPhEr+3 and SiPh-HYP-Er+3 nanocomposites under excitation of Ar-Laser with 514 nm wavelength were dominated by an emission band centered at around 1.54 mu m region. That band was assigned to I-4(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) transition and the 4f-transition state of Er+3 ions which was influenced by the presence of the hyperbranched polymeric material leading to coordination and Er+3 ions complex formation with the hyperbranched polymers. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2029-2038, 2019. (c) 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers