ZnCl2-Enhanced Intrinsic Luminescence of Tin Chlorophosphate Glasses

Abstract

This communication reports the intrinsic luminescence of tin chlorophosphate glasses. The glass maintains the low melting point characteristics of tin fluorophosphate glasses, and exhibits a red-shifted and broadened excitation wavelength peak. Tin chlorophosphate glasses can exhibit a broadband luminescence of 400–700 nm under an excitation of 380–430 nm. Furthermore, the introduction of ZnCl2 into tin chlorophosphate glasses can considerably enhance the luminescence without affecting their low-melting characteristics. The luminescence intensity can be increased fourfold, with the enhancement attributed to the reduced visible absorption, improved dispersion of Sn2+ ions, and the energy exchange between Sn2+ and Zn2+ in the glasses owing to the addition of ZnCl2.