Spectroscopic investigation on europium doped heavy metal borate glasses for red luminescent application

The present study explores a new borate family glasses based on 10ZnO–5Na₂O–10Bi₂O₃–(75 − x) B₂O₃–xEu₂O₃ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3 mol%) composition, synthesized by rapid melt quench technique. Prepared glasses were subjected to the density and refractive index measurements and their values were used to calculate other physical properties of the glass matrix as a function of Eu³⁺ concentration. XRD confirmed amorphous nature of the glasses. FTIR spectra in the absorption mode were recorded in the 400–4000 cm⁻¹ region to identify different functional groups in the glass matrix. Deconvoluted FTIR spectra showed increase in BO₄ units with rise in europium content which confirmed the ‘network strengthener’ role of europium ions by creating bridging oxygens (BOs). Optical properties were investigated for their luminescence behavior through various spectroscopic techniques such as UV–Vis–NIR absorption, excitation, emission, decay profiles, and color measurements at room temperature. Lasing properties of the glasses like total radiative life time, branching ratio, emission cross section, and optical gain were obtained from the calculated Judd–Ofelt (Ω₂,Ω₄) intensity parameters. From the measured values of emission, cross sections, branching ratios, life times, strong photoluminescence features, and CIE chromaticity coordinates, 0.5 mol% of Eu³⁺ ions doped ZnNaBiB glasses showed optimum performance and are potential candidate for red light generation at 613 nm.