Compositional dependence of red photoluminescence of Eu3+ ions in lead and bismuth containing borate glasses

Herein, heavy metal borate glasses activated with different concertation of Eu2O3 were prepared via the melt quench method. The Eu3+ concentration effect on photoluminescence (PL) properties of prepared glasses was investigated and discussed in detail to understand their utility in solid-state lighting and other photonic applications. The present work explains the suitability of two heavy metal oxides such as PbO and Bi2O3 for Eu2O3 doping to develop the glassy materials for photonic applications. The PL intensity was increased with an increase in Eu3+ content in PbO framed borate glasses while in Bi2O3 containing borate glasses the PL intensity was decreased at higher concentration due to concentration quenching. The Judd–Ofelt parameters and the radiative properties suggest the heavy metal borate glass hosts activated with 1 mol % of Eu3+ were potential materials for red light-emitting devices under blue light excitations. The Lifetime values of the PbO framed glasses were greater compared to Bi2O3 framed borate glasses which suggest the borate glass host containing high PbO content is more precisely suitable than Bi2O3 containing borate glass for solid-state lighting applications under blue light excitation. [Display omitted] •Photoluminescence properties of Eu3+ ions in PbO and Bi2O3 containing borate glasses were investigated.•The PbO containing glasses activated with 1 mol % of Eu2O3 were exhibited improved spectroscopic and luminescence properties.•Studies suggest the PbO containing glasses are beneficial for solid state lighting application under blue light excitation.