Silver Nanoclusters Loaded in Analcime Zeolite for Tunable Luminescence

Luminescent silver nanocluster zeolite composites have aroused intensive attention of the research community because of their outstanding optical performances. Herein we report one such luminescent nanocomposite by assembling silver nanodusters within the analcime (ANA) zeolite by sonicating the silver-exchanged ANA zeolites in the presence of an appropriate amount of terephthalic acid (TPA). The addition of TPA can prevent the formation of larger nonluminescent silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), increase the photoluminescence quantum yield, and adjust the emission color of the resulting luminescent composites, varying from orange to yellow to white via changes in the TPA concentration. It is believed that the TPA molecules added during the synthesis process favor the dissolution of large nonluminous Ag NPs formed on the surface of the zeolite, leading to a significant decrease in both the number and size of the Ag NPs. In addition, a warm-white light-emitting device was fabricated by integrating the composites on a near-ultraviolet 365 nm chip. Our method might demonstrate a perspective for the rational synthesis of luminescent silver nanoclusters.

Automated summary

This study reports a method for assembling silver nanoparticles in zeolite to prepare luminescent nanocomposites with adjustable emission color. The addition of terephthalic acid prevents the formation of non-luminescent silver nanoparticles, increases the photoluminescence yield, and allows for color tuning of the resulting composites.