Enhancement of Pr3+ luminescence in PbO–GeO2 glasses containing silver nanoparticles

Pr3+-doped PbO–GeO2 (PGO) glasses containing silver nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared and their spectroscopic characteristics were studied. The PGO samples and the nucleation of silver NP were obtained melting the starting oxide powders, quenching and annealing. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the NP size distribution. Isolated silver particles with average diameter of 2 nm and aggregates with dimensions smaller than 100 nm were observed. Optical absorption and luminescence experiments were performed to investigate the properties of the composite system. Enhancement of the Pr3+ ions’ luminescence was observed due to the presence of the silver NP.