Epoxy free LED devices: Physical and optical examination of praseodymium doped borate glasses for enhanced performance

•ZSLFB glasses doped with Pr3+ ions were prepared by melt quench method.•Physical parameters describe the nature of bonding between Pr3+ ions and surrounding ligands.•The J-O parameters for all the as-prepared ZSLFBPr glasses possess an identical order (Ω2 > Ω4 > Ω6).•Absorption spectra reveal that all the as-prepared ZSLFBPr glasses show intense absorption in n-UV region. Borate glass doped with Praseodymium (Pr3+) having different concentration were synthesized via melt quenching method. The density of the glass is proven to enhance with the abundance of the Pr3+ ions resulting in structural compactness of the glass. Variation of the dielectric constant, reflection loss, molar refraction and polaron radius has been analyzed with the concentration of Pr3+ ions. Absorption spectra were recorded in the range of 200 nm-1800 nm and seven peaks were observed. Band gap is evaluated using Tauc plot. Absorption spectra are used to assess the bonding parameter and Judd-Ofelt intensity parameter. The results of the Judd Ofelt theory are consistent with the bonding parameters. Variation of the Urbach energy with the band gap has been analyzed. The known result affirms the glasses potential as a green component in reddish orange luminescent devices.