Pd nanometal inclusion in phosphate glass via PdO and Si: Impact on Sm3+photoluminescence

This Letter reports for the first time on spectroscopic properties of glasses melted with PdO and Si as reductant for Pd nanoparticles (NPs) inclusion and their impact on the photoluminescence (PL) of a rare-earth. Barium-phosphate glasses were prepared adding 0.3 and 0.5 mol% of PdO and/or Si, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and optical absorption spectroscopy. Subsequently, the effect of reduced palladium on Sm3+ PL was investigated. The PdO/Si co-doped glasses had the Pd2+ absorption band vanished, while displaying an increased absorption background attributed to light scattering by Pd NPs. Adding Sm2O3 alongside PdO/Si resulted in Sm3+ PL quenching under 401 nm excitation, whereas excitation at 317 nm increased the emission relative to a singly Sm3+-doped reference. Somewhat improved UV transparency seems to support the improved PL whereas an excitation energy transfer from Sm3+ to Pd NPs is suggested to cause the PL quenching.

Automated summary

This Letter reports on the spectroscopic properties of glasses melted with PdO and Si as reductant for Pd nanoparticles (NPs) inclusion and their impact on the photoluminescence (PL) of a rare-earth. Barium-phosphate glasses doped with 0.3 and 0.5 mol% PdO and/or Si were characterized and their effect on Sm3+ PL was investigated. The PdO/Si co-doped glasses exhibited the disappearance of Pd2+ absorption band and increased absorption background attributed to light scattering by Pd NPs.