Effect of Y 3+ on the structural and photoluminescence properties of yttrium‐doped sodium borate glass

Glass of the composition 70%B 2 O 3 ‐(30‐x)%Na 2 O‐x%Y 2 O 3 with x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 mol% was manufactured using the melt quenching method. X‐ray diffraction tests indicated the amorphous structure of the glass, with the presence of some YBO 3 clusters in the high yttrium content samples. Fourier transform infrared spectra analysis proved the presence of different borate groups and linkages, in addition to nonsystematic changes in the ratio BO 3 /BO 4 in the glass. The forming ability of the glass was found to be approximately stable for the low Y 3+ content samples and increased for the heavily doped samples. The density of the samples was found to increase as the Y 3+ concentration was increased, whereas the molar volume decreased. The bond strength of the examined glass suggested that a covalent nature was dominant between bonds. All the Y 3+ ‐doped glass was found to emit greenish‐cyan light when excited at . Photoluminescence intensity was shown to be enhanced by the generated YBO 3 groups. The obtained correlated colour temperature values with 82.5% purity recommend the suitability of the glass for applications in outdoor illumination.