Influence of silver ions in Eu3+ doped glass for efficient reddish-orange and white light generation

Borophosphate glasses containing Ag and Eu3+ ions are prepared by melt-quenching method and spectroscopically characterized. Through ATR-FTIR and Raman spectra, the structural behaviour of groups PO4 and BO4 of the glasses were discussed. Using UV-Vis absorption spectra and Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory, the J-O intensity parameters (Ω2, Ω4 and Ω6) and radiative properties of excited states of Eu3+ ions in borophosphate: Eu and borophosphate: Eu/Ag were calculated. Excitation spectra at 230, 250 nm and 355 nm exhibited broadband emissions in the UV and visible ranges (260–440 nm and 430–500 nm) which were associated to single Ag+ ions and Ag+- Ag0 pairs. Moreover, enhancement of the Eu3+ emission at 612 nm was observed with increasing Ag concentration. The effect was attributed to the energy transfer between Ag species and Eu3+ ions, with a maximum enhancement factor of 4 times. Under 355 nm and 388 nm excitations, warm-white light and reddish-orange emissions were accomplished that may potentially be used in w-LEDs. •This work focus on optical spectroscopy of Ag and Eu3+ ions in borophosphate glasses.•Emission spectra were recorded under 230, 250, 355 and 388 nm excitations.•Efficient white and reddish-orange lights were observed under 245 nm and 365 nm UV lamp.