Synthesis and characterization of oxynitride glass films to develop a host for divalent-europium-centres

Abstract

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of europium-doped strontium–aluminium–silicon–oxynitride glass films. These films were prepared using the sol–gel method, followed by ammonolysis at 1000 °C. Extending the ammonolysis duration proved critical for enhancing luminescence efficiency, with a peak internal quantum efficiency of 37% achieved after 24 h. Infrared absorption, X-ray photoemission, and thermal desorption analyses suggest that nitrogen incorporation occurs early in ammonolysis. The formation of a stable glass structure involving Si–N–Si and Si–O–Si bonds was identified as the rate-limiting step in oxynitride glass development. Additionally, the fabricated film was integrated into a halide perovskite solar cell to assess its ultraviolet-to-visible conversion performance.