Photoluminescence of ns2-type center-containing zinc borate glasses

•We prepared ns2-type-doped ZnO–B2O3 glasses by melt-quenching method.•Photoluminescence (PL) and optical absorption of the glasses were examined.•Clear relationship between PL and optical absorption edge is observed.•Sn2 + center exhibited the best PL property among the 5 s2-type centers.

Optical absorption and photoluminescence properties of Sn2 +, Sb3 +, and Te4 +-doped zinc borate glasses are examined. The obtained ns2-type center-doped glasses prepared by non-quenching method using glassy carbon crucible show different absorption and photoluminescent (PL) properties compared with those prepared by a conventional rapid-quenched method. The optical absorption edges red-shift with increasing amount of ns2-type center. There is a linear relationship between the optical absorption edge and the PL excitation band among Sn2 +, Sb3 +, and Te4 + centers. Although these 5 s2 emission centers possess the same electron configuration, Sn2 + center possessing the longest decay constant exhibits the highest intensity and quantum efficiency.