Influence of Cu+ cations on photoluminescence properties of Tb3 + in Cu+–Na+ ion-exchanged sodium-borosilicate glasses

• Cu+ cations were introduced into amorphous glasses via Cu+–Na+ ion-exchange technique.
• Energy-transfer of Cu+ → Tb3 + was systematically investigated.
• Enhancement of Tb3 + emissions was achieved in Cu+–Na+ ion-exchanged glasses.

Cu+ cations were introduced into the sodium-borosilicate (SBS) glasses via a Cu+–Na+ ion-exchanged technique. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of Cu+, Tb3 + single- and co-activated SBS glasses, and the energy transfer (ET) process from Cu+ to Tb3 + cations were systematically investigated through energy-level diagram, decay curves, absorption spectra, PL excitation and emission spectra. Under the excitation of UV-light, Cu+-activated SBS glasses emit blue-greenish photons in the visible range, originating from the 3d94s1 → 3d10 transition of Cu+ cations. Moreover, the intensities of the excitation and emission bands of Cu+ can be tailored by appropriately tuning the ion-exchange time. Significantly, enhancement of green emission of Tb3 + was observed via utilization of Cu+ cations as efficient sensitizers. The influence of the ion-exchange temperature and the salt bath with varied ratios of CuSO4 to Na2SO4 on the interaction between Cu+ and Tb3 + cations was also discussed. Our research will help understand the enhancement mechanisms of Tb3 + emissions in Cu+/Tb3 +-codoped amorphous systems.