LUMINESCENT PROPERTIES OF SILVER CLUSTERS FORMED BY ION EXCHANGE METHOD IN PHOTO-THERMO-REFRACTIVE GLASS

Abstract

Subject of Study.The paper deals with novel research of ion exchange duration influence on spectral-luminescent properties of silver clusters formed in photo-thermo-refractive glass. Method. Photo-thermo-refractive matrix glass based on Na2O–Al2O3–ZnO–SiO2–F (% mol.) system doped with 0,002% mol. of Sb2O3 was synthesized for further research. Silver ions were introduced with low temperature ion exchange method. The glass samples were immersed in the mixture of sodium and silver nitrates 5AgNO3/95NaNO3 (% mol.) at the temperature of 320 °C. Ion exchange duration varied from 5 minutes to 21 hours. Luminescent silver clusters were formed in surface layers of photo-thermo-refractive glass by subsequent heat treatment at the temperature of 450 °C. Main Results. Embedding of silver ions in photo-thermo-refractive glass with ion exchange method led to long-wavelength shift of the UV edge of strong absorption. Location of the UV edge of strong absorption and emission peak of silver clusters depends on ion exchange duration and shifts to the greater wavelengthswith increasing the ion exchange process time. Quantum yield of luminescence decreases significantly according to Stern-Volmer equation with the rising of ion exchange duration. Practical Relevance. Research results can be used for developing white LEDs and down-convertors of solar radiation.

Keywords

• silver clusters
• ion exchange
• photo-thermo-refractive glass
• luminescence