Nanoarchitectonics and spectroscopic studies of Pr³⁺ doped ZnS nanoparticles glasses for visible reddish orange luminescent device applications

The present work reports on the structural and spectroscopic properties of Pr³⁺ doped ZnS nanoparticles in silicate glasses prepared by sol–gel technique. Structural characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The structural studies reveal the presence of nanosized in the amorphous silica glass. Spectroscopic studies were performed through absorption and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The radiative parameters such as transition probability (A_ed), radiative lifetimes (τ_R), and branching ratios (β_R), the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters Ω_λ were determined from the absorption spectra of the prepared samples. The increase absorption as well as PL intensity was observed. This enhanced intensity is observed due to the effective increased in oscillator strength of Pr³⁺ doped ZnS. We observed strong stimulated emission cross-sections for the transition ³P₀ → ³H₆, at 614 nm. It may be useful for good lasing material in reddish-orange region. CIE chromaticity coordinates were also evaluated from the emission spectra of each glass. The development of visible reddish-orange lasers may be effectively facilitated by SiZPr1.5 glass, as indicated by the observed emission cross-sections and CIE chromaticity coordinates.