Au-Ag nanoalloy molecule-like clusters for enhanced quantum efficiency emission of Er³⁺ ions in silica

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2015 Nov 14;17(42):28262-9. doi: 10.1039/c5cp01084e. Epub 2015 Apr 29.

Abstract

The occurrence of a very efficient non-resonant energy transfer process forming ultrasmall Au-Ag nanoalloy clusters and Er(3+) ions is investigated in silica. The enhancement of the room temperature Er(3+) emission efficiency by an order of magnitude is achieved by coupling rare-earth ions to molecule-like (Au(x)Ag(1-x))N alloy nanoclusters with N = 10-15 atoms and x = 0.6 obtained by optimized sequential ion implantation on Er-implanted silica. For comparison, AuN nanoclusters obtained by the same approach and with the same size and numerical density showed an enhancement by only a factor of 2 with respect to pure Er emission, demonstrating the beneficial effect of using nanoalloyed clusters. The temperature evolution of the energy transfer process is investigated by photoluminescence and exhibits a maximum efficiency at about 600 °C, where the clusters reach the optimal size and the silica matrix completely recovers the implantation damage. The nanoalloy cluster composition and size have been studied by EXAFS analysis, which indicated a stronger Ag-O interaction with respect to the Au-O one and a preferential location of the Ag atoms at the nanoalloy cluster surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys*
  • Erbium / chemistry*
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures*
  • Quantum Theory*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Silver / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Erbium