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A study was conducted to investigate how the addition of WO3 affects the mechanical, optical, and photon attenuation properties of TeO2–Na2O glass systems. In this study, four glass systems categorized as W5, W10, W15, and W20 were studied to evaluate the impact of WO3 on TeO2–Na2O glass systems in view of the feature of mechanical, optical, and photon attenuation. The rising values of elastic moduli suggest that increasing WO3 on TeO2–Na2O glass systems makes the glassy structure more stable. Incorporating WO3 into TeO2–Na2O glass systems results in an increased energy band gap, rising from 2.83 to 2.95 eV. This phenomenon, in turn, leads to a decrease in the refractive index, dielectric constant, and optical dielectric constant values from 2.444 to 2.411, 5.975 to 5.811, and 4.975 to 4.811, respectively. While the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of the examined glass systems (W5, W10, W15, and W20) displayed a comparable pattern, the LAC value of glass sample W20 stood out as the highest among them. However, due to the addition of WO3 on the TeO2–Na2O glass system, at a lower energy region from 0.0284 to 0.06 MeV, there was a little variation among the mass attenuation coefficients of these glass systems studied herein, but a negligible variation was found from 0.662 to 2.51 MeV. The studied glass sample W20 with the highest amount of WO3 (20 mol%) on the TeO2–Na2O glass system displayed the lowest half-value layer. However, glass samples W5, W10, and W15 exposed 1.29, 1.07, and 1.03 times higher values of mean free path than W20. In addition, the values of the half-value layer were compared with the literature data of WO3–MoO3–TeO2, BaO–Li2O–B2O3, and CaF2–BaO–P2O5 glass systems. Studied glass sample W20 showed the maximum shielding performance from energy 0.284 to 2.51 MeV.

This study examines the physical, optical and mechanical characteristics of BWP glasses. The density and molar mass increase as the WO3 concentration rises, resulting in a denser and more substantial glass sample. However, the molar volume decreases, indicating a reduction in volume due to the increased density caused by WO3. The inclusion of WO3 also leads to a tighter spacing between atoms. The optical basicity of the glass increases with higher WO3 concentrations. The electronegativity decreases, suggesting the glass becomes more electron-donating. The electronic polarizability and cross-link density increase, resulting in a stiffer and more robust glass network. The mechanical moduli, including Young's modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus, and longitudinal modulus, also increase with higher WO3 concentrations, indicating improved mechanical characteristics and reduced deformation. The Poisson's ratio shows a larger transverse deformation tendency with increasing WO3 concentration. Micro-hardness values increase with WO3 content, indicating enhanced durability and mechanical robustness. The mean free path values indicates that the higher WO3 content, or lower P2O5 content, improves the shielding ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi2O3–TeO2–CdO glasses' structural, thermal, optical, and gamma ray shielding behaviour were studied. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the glasses include BiO3, BiO6, TeO4, TeO3 units as well as CdO metal oxide clusters. The glasses lost just a small percentage of their original weight (less than 2%) on heating upto 800 °C, indicating that they can survive extreme heat without suffering any major changes to their structure or capabilities. The glass transition temperature (Tg) drops from 455 to 408 °C when Bi2O3 is added. The thermal profile of the glasses shows two exothermic peaks. As the Bi2O3 concentration in the samples rose, the indirect band gap energy dropped from 3.066 to 2.951 eV. With the use of the Phy-X program, the radiation shielding parameters have been calculated for the prepared glasses for energies ranging from 0.015 to 15 MeV. The linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) is high at 0.015 MeV (varied between 485.4 and 538.8 cm−1 for CTB4 glass, which is the glass with the largest percentage of Bi2O3, demonstrates the highest levels of LAC. The enhancement in the LAC due to the inclusion of Bi2O3 is observed in the prepared glasses. The enhancement in LAC is more pronounced at lower energies, especially below 0.03 MeV. From the effective atomic number data, increasing the amount of Bi2O3 in the glasses results in improved radiation shielding efficacy, particularly at lower energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Improving the Structural, Optical and Photovoltaic Properties of Sb- and Bi-Co-Doped MAPbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cell" has been retracted by the Coatings Editorial Office due to concerns regarding the scientific accuracy of the data presented. An investigation conducted by the Editorial Office and the Editorial Board confirmed inconsistencies within the XRD data presented in Figure 1, and they were unable to verify the validity or integrity of the data. As a result, the publication has been retracted in accordance with the journal's retraction policy and the Committee on Publication Ethics retraction guidelines. One of the authors disagreed with this retraction, while the other authors did not provide a comment on the decision. [Extracted from the article]

One of the most amazing photovoltaic technologies for the future is the organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cell, which exhibits excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE) and can be produced using a straightforward solution technique. Toxic lead in perovskite can be replaced by non-toxic alkaline earth metal cations because they keep the charge balance in the material and some of them match the Goldschmidt rule's tolerance factor. Therefore, thin films of MAPbI3, 1% Bi and 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% Sn co-doped MAPbI3 were deposited on FTO-glass substrates by sol-gel spin-coating technique. XRD confirmed the co-doping of Bi–Sn in MAPbI3. The 1% Bi and 1% Sn co-doped film had a large grain size. The optical properties were calculated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The 1% Bi and 1% Sn co-doped film had small Eg, which make it a good material for perovskite solar cells. These films were made into perovskite solar cells. The pure MAPbI3 film-based solar cell had a current density (Jsc) of 9.71 MA-cm−2, its open-circuit voltage (Voc) was 1.18 V, its fill factor (FF) was 0.609 and its efficiency (η) was 6.98%. All of these parameters were improved by the co-doping of Bi–Sn. The cell made from a co-doped MAPbI3 film with 1% Bi and 1% Sn had a high efficiency (10.03%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacy of silver nanoparticles concentration and annealing durations on optical limiting and optical nonlinearities of borate based glasses bearing the composition (79.5–x)B2O3–15Na2O–5La2O3–0.5Sm2O3–xAgCl (mol%) was assessed by Z-scan approach under the pumping of visible light (532 nm) in nanosecond regime. The dual photon absorption parameter (α2) was elevated from 0.576 × 10−11 to 1.201 × 10−11 m/W with AgCl content from 0 to 0.5 mol%. This α2 further raised to 1.964 × 10−11 m/W when the optimized glass host heat treated at 450° C for 25 h. Similarly, the index of nonlinear refraction (n2) was enhanced from 1.642 × 10−19 to 2.532 × 10−19 m2/W as the AgCl content increased from 0 to 0.5 mol%. This n2 value in turn monotonously increased to 2.963 × 10−19 m2/W when optimized glass system annealed at 450° C for 25 h. The optical limiting threshold magnitude followed reverse trend compared to α2 and n2. The enhancement in nonlinear optical features and optical limiting efficiencies were related to field stimulated by Ag0 nanoparticles when excited with high energy radiation. However, the non-uniform local field generated when the glass nanocomposites heated for longer duration resulted the switching of nonlinear absorption. The nonlinear optical and optical limiting results infer the 0.5 mol% AgCl encompassing glass sample annelaed at 450 °C for 25 h is benificail for construction of power optical limiters to operate in the visible range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, ZnO films co-doped with Mn and La were synthesized by the sol–gel technique. XRD analysis revealed that ZnO had a hexagonal structure. Mixed hexagonal and cubic phases appeared in ZnO containing Mn (1%) and La (1.5%). The grain size, d-spacing, unit cell, lattice parameters, atomic packing fraction, volume, strain, crystallinity, and bond length of co-doped ZnO films were determined as a function of doped ion contents. Through UV analysis, it was found that pristine ZnO had Eg = 3.5 eV, and it decreased when increasing the doping concentration, reaching the minimum value for the sample with 1% Mn and 1% La. The optical parameters of the films, such as absorption, transmittance, dielectric constants, and refractive index, were also analyzed. DSSCs were fabricated using the prepared ZnO films. For pure ZnO film, the values were: efficiency = 0.69%, current density = 2.5 mAcm−2, and open-circuit voltage = 0.56 V. When ZnO was co-doped with Mn and La, the efficiency increased significantly. DSSCs with a ZnO photoanode co-doped with 1% Mn and 1% La exhibited maximum values of Jsc = 4.28 mAcm−2, Voc = 0.6 V, and efficiency = 1.89%, which is 174% better than pristine ZnO-based DSSCs. This material is good for the electrode of perovskite solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prepared 1% Bi- and (0, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) Sb- co-doped MAPbBr3 films by a sol-gel spin coating technique. For the first time, the detailed structural properties including grain size, dislocation line density, d-spacing, lattice parameters, and volume of co-doped MAPbBr3 films have been investigated. XRD confirmed the cubic structure of MAPbBr3 with high crystallinity and co-doping of Bi and Sb. The 1% Bi and 1% Sb co-doping have a surprising effect in MAPbBr3 structures, such as large grain size (59.5 nm), d-space value (6.23 Å), small dislocation line dislocation (2.79 × 1018 m−2), and small lattice parameters (a = b = c = 6.3 Å) and volume of unit cell. The detailed optical properties, including energy band gap (Eg), refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k) and dielectric constant (Ɛ), which are very important for optoelectronics applications, were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The film of 1% Bi and 1% Sb co-doped MAPbBr3 showed good optical response including small Eg, high n, low value of k, high real and low imaginary parts of dielectric constant, making it good for solar cell applications. Solar cells were fabricated from these films. The cell fabricated with pure MAPbBr3 has Jsc of 8.72 mA cm−2, FF of 0.66, Voc of 1.29 V, and η of 7.5%. All the parameters increased by co-doping of Bi and Sb in MAPbBr3 film. The cell fabricated with 1% Bi and 1% Sb co-doped MAPbBr3 film had high current density (12.12 mA-cm−2), open circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (0.73), and high efficiency (11.6%). This efficiency was 65% larger than a pure MAPbBr3-based solar cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the melt-quenching process, thick, transparent, and light yellow PbO–TeO 2 –CdO glasses were fabricated, with sample densities ranging from 5.576 to 6.082 g/cm3. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra showed that the material was amorphous, while Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra demonstrated multiple bond stretching modes and vibrational frequencies. With an increase in the mol% of PbO concentration, the derivative of absorption spectra fitting (DASF) method showed a reduction in the bandgap energies to 3.520 eV, 3.457 eV, 3.433 eV, and 3.394 eV for Pb70, Pb72.5, Pb75, and Pb77.5, respectively. For the Pb70 and Pb77.5 glasses, the transmission factor (TF) decreased with thickness. The Pb77.5 glass had the highest radiation protection efficiency (RPE), with an RPE range of 66–70% for a thickness of 1.25 cm. Moreover, the addition of PbO improved the transparency, density, and gamma-ray shielding abilities of the glasses. • Fabricated highly dense, light yellow, and transparent PbO–TeO2–CdO glasses. • Structural features studied using XRD and FTIR. • Bandgap energy decreases with increasing PbO content. • Pb77.5 glass has highest RPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Eu3+ doped borate based glass embedded with gold nanoparticles were prepared by melt quenching process. • Efficacy of annealing schedule on nonlinear optical properties of glass was studied. • The nonlinear optical properties were assessed by Z-scan technique in near-infrared region in ultrafast regime. • The study instantiate the AU nanoparticles embedded borate glass annealed for 30 h at 450 °C is beneficial for nonlinear photonic, optoelectronic, and optical power limiting applications. In this work, the Eu 2 O 3 doped B 2 O 3 glass specimen embedded with gold nanoparticles (NPs) was designed by the process of melt-quenching and subjected for thermal treatment to understanding the efficacy of thermal dependency on the optical and nonlinear optical (NLO) characteristics. Linear optical studies have revealed a decrease trend in the energy band gap as the function of annealing duration, indicating the increase of non-bridging oxygen concentration in the glass host. The NLO properties were assessed in near-infrared region utilizing 150 fs laser pulses delivered at the rate of 80 MHz. The aperture free Z-scan measurements exhibited an increased nonlinear absorption coefficient with annealing duration. Further, the closed aperture Z-scan data depicted an increase trend in the positive nonlinear refraction with annealing duration and eventually reduced at the greater duration of annealing. The optical limiting studies demonstrated similar behaviour to the nonlinear absorption characteristics of studied glass samples. These results are related to the local field stimulated by surface plasmons of gold NPs near the Eu3+ ions during the exposure of glass to high fluence laser beam. Our results indicate that B 2 O 3 glasses embedded with Au NPs heat-treated for 30 h at 450 °C are good candidates for nonlinear photonic, optoelectronic, and optical power limiting applications in photonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical properties, optical properties, and shielding properties were reported herein by varying the amount of bismuth (III) oxide (Bi 2 O 3) and boron oxide (B 2 O 3) on the PbO-Bi 2 O 3 -CdO- B 2 O 3 glass systems through Melt quenching technique. After altering the amount of Bi 2 O 3 density studied glass systems have varied from 4.3 g/cm3 - 5.7 g/cm3. With the addition of bismuth oxide, the density, molar volume, and oxygen packing density all rise. As bismuth concentration increases, the indirect band gap reduces, indicating structural changes in the glasses. As bismuth concentration rises, so do the refractive index (n), optical dielectric constant, and reflection loss (R L) characteristics. Ionic nature of current samples is supported by the reduction in electronegativity and rise in polarizability, which reduces the band gap. Linear attenuation coefficients (LAC), mass attenuation coefficients (MAC), half value layers (HVL), and mean free path (MFP) were calculated for photon energy range 0.015–15 MeV via exploiting Phy-X software. Containing supreme amount of Bi 2 O 3 (25% mol) studied glass systems have shown higher values of effective atomic number (Z eff), LAC, MAC along with least values of HVL and MFP considering with other studied glass systems. Results showed that deposition of Bi 2 O 3 on the studied glass systems has boosted their shielding ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

40PbO + 20ZnO + (40-x) B 2 O 3 + xDy 2 O 3 (where x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt%) glass samples were created via a traditional melt-quenching technique. The degree of structural compactness and the amendment of configurations in the glass network was verified by determining glass density. The linear optical properties of the samples were investigated by measuring U-V optical absorption over a spectral range of 190–900 nm. Both direct and indirect band gaps were found to decrease when the samples were doped with Dy 2 O 3. The Urbach energy (E u) yields increase as the number of doping materials in the samples increases. The gamma-ray shielding capacity of the samples was evaluated using MCNP-5 code. The simulated data found that the highest linear attenuation coefficient was obtained at 0.015 MeV. This attenuation varied between 2.84.43 and 346.33 cm−1 as the ratio of Dy 2 O 3 rose from 0 to 5 wt%, respectively. Shielding factors like the half-value layer, the radiation protection efficiency and the transmission factor increased as more Dy 2 O 3 was introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical, optical, and radiation shielding properties of the SrO-SiO 2 -B 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 glass system with varying SrO and BaO compositions were investigated. The optical basicity, oxygen packing density (OPD), and oxygen molar volume (OMV) of the glasses ranges from 0.742 to 0.786, 70.408 to 66.16, and 12.202–15.114 cm3/mol respectively as the mol% concentration of BaO from 0 mol% to 40 mol%. The refractive index (n), dielectric constant (ε) and optical dielectric constant (p dp dt ) decrease sharply as BaO content increases from 0% to 10%, thereafter a slight increment in n, ε, and p dp dt is observed with an increase in BaO content from 10% to 30% and with further increase in BaO content beyond 30% again decrease in the values of n, ε, and p dp dt is observed. The molar refractivity (R m) and molar Polarizibility (α m) are affected by BaO content. In the broader perspective, R m and α m decrease sharply as BaO content increases from 0% to 10%, thereafter a slight increment is observed with an increase in BaO content from 10% to 40%. The metallization criterion (M) and the value of reflection loss (R L) confirm that the present glasses show non-metallic character or insulating in nature. While replacing the composition SrO with BaO improves the glasses' capabilities to shield gamma radiation at low gamma energies (284–826 keV), their shielding capabilities slightly deteriorates at high gamma energies (1173–1333 keV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The melt quenching method has been utilized to prepare the TeO 2 -CdO-PbO-B 2 O 3 glass system. The optical packing density and the various elastic moduli increase as the as PbO increases from 30 to 40 mol%. The number of bonds per unit volume increases from 8.96 × 1022 cm−3 to 11.91 × 1022 cm−3 as the concentration of PbO increases. The indirect and direct band gap energies decrease from 2.828 to 2.705 eV and 3.112–2.931 eV respectively with increasing mol% of the PbO. The mass attenuation coefficient has been derived using EPICS2017 library. Below 0.284 MeV, the mass attenuation coefficient obtained by EPICS2017 are higher than that determined by Phy-X/PSD by approximately 2.5% for the five glass samples. In contrast, the mass attenuation coefficient determined by Phy-X/PSD are higher than that calculated from EPICS2017 at energies higher than 0.284 MeV, ranging from 0.09% to 0.36%. Moreover, we determined the linear attenuation coefficient and the results showed that the PbB5 glass (with 50 mol% of PbO) has a higher value of this parameter. The effective atomic number values at 122 keV span from 61.06 to 69.98, while at 1458 MeV span from 17.26 to 25.23. The mean free path results proved that the photons with low energy have small penetration ability thus the glasses have a good attenuation performance when exposed to radiation with low energy. For the glass with 30 mol% of PbO (coded as PbB1), the value of mean free path increased from 0.120 cm at 122 keV to 4.305 cm at 1458 keV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non–linear optical (NLO) properties of materials of nanostructured are flourishing increased attention towards photon conversion, harmonic generation and optical limiting (OL) functionalities. However, many of hosts may become injected with decreased efficiencies or performances at high input intensities owing to the photo–induced deterioration. This study presents the NLO characteristics of Er3+–doped borate glasses bearing silver nanoparticles (NPs) ostending their exuberance for OL functionalities. When the glasses pumped with nanosecond (ns) laser pulses the NLO absorption [two–photon absorption (2PA)] and refraction (n 2) coefficients depict a monotonic dependence on the AgNO 3 content, with a maximum of 1.321 × 10−11 m/W and 0.709 × 10−18 m2/W respectively for 0.8 mol% AgNO 3 containing glass system. Additionally, the figure of merit reveals an enhance behavior with AgNO 3 content in the glass matrix, with maximum of 0.198 for 0.8 mol% AgNO 3 containing glass. The OL threshold values exhibit monotonous decrease trend with AgNO 3 content with lowest threshold of 27.314 J/cm2 for 0.8 mol% AgNO 3 bearing glass. The monotonic enhancement of 2 PA coefficient, and OL performance is ascribed to enhanced local field stimulation through silver NPs in the Er3+ ions' proximity. The outcomes of the study clearly reveal the high AgNO 3 bearing glasses doped with Er3+ ions are excellent candidates for OL applications functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Impact of heat treatment on NLO features of Nd 2 O 3 doped borate glasses embedded with Ag NPs has been investigated. • NLO features were studied in near infra-red region under ultrafast regime. • The origin of enhancement of NLO features has been highlighted. • The nonlinear results reveal the investigated glasses are beneficial for optical limiting devices. Nd3+ ions containing borate glasses embedded with silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by melting and quenching process. Thermal treatment at 450 °C for different holding durations has been performed to tune the size of the NPs embedded in the glass. The influence of growth of NPs on nonlinear optical (NLO) and optical limiting (OL) properties of glasses has been evaluated in the near–infrared spectral provenience under femtosecond pulse regime. The NLO and OL attributes evaluated using Z–scan configuration disclose the enhanced trend of two–photon absorption and nonlinear refraction coefficients and a decrease behaviour of OL threshold with the augment of thermal holding time. This enhancement in NLO coefficients and OL performance with thermal annealing duration is ascribed to the enhancement of the local field with the size of the NPs. The outcomes acknowledge the Nd3+ ions bearing borate glasses embedded with bigger Ag NPs are preferable for nanophotonic applications and optoelectronic functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of film thickness on the energy bandgap and optical dielectric loss of Prussian Blue (PB) were examined to fabricate Ag/Prussian Blue (PB)/p-Si/Al photodetectors. The morphological characteristics of the spin-coated Prussian Blue (PB) nanostructured films were investigated by FESEM, and 30% of the analyzed particle size distributions were equal to 70 ± 3 nm. An empirical mathematical relationship that correlates the estimated bandgap (E g eV) values to the film thickness (d nm) is concluded. An empirical equation correlates the estimated energy bandgap to the film thickness, d (n m) = Q E g − s where: Q = 15.7 and S = −3.63 with standard errors 4 and 1, respectively. The extracted bandgap energies are equal to 3.622, 3.630, 3.641 and 3.678 eV with indirect transition type for the fabricated Prussian Blue (PB) films with thicknesses equal to 76, 92, 109 and 125 nm, respectively. The real part of the refractive index in the near-infrared region is parameterized by using different theoretical [(Drude-Voigt), analytical Cauchy and Forouhi and Bloomer] formulas. When 2.33 eV > Tan δ > 1.52 eV, the induced electric dipoles increase rapidly, and the value of T decreases from 0.43 to 0.03 with the increase of the film's thickness from 76 to 125 nm, respectively. The plots of the measured parallel capacitance, C S , conductance, and G p illustrate a memory hysteresis loop, and the recorded data is analyzed and simulated by impedance spectroscopy analysis. The fabricated Ag/Prussian Blue (76 nm)/p-Si/Al devices are investigated in dark and illumination conditions. The evaluated responsivity showed a linear mathematical relation against the reverse applied voltage ranging from 1.95 to - 0.9 V. This optical switching region may be helpful for lower power switching optoelectronics (from 6 to 18 mW/cm2). • SEM supports the nanostructured Prussian Blue (PB) thin films. • Influences of film thickness on optical constants and Dispersion parameters of Prussian Blue (PB) thin films were evaluated and interpreted. • The impedance spectroscopy (Z ′- Z ″) plots at different frequencies for electro-resistive behaviour memory applications. • Prussian Blue (PB) thin films possesses a wide scale bandgap in low UV/Vis power photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Co-doped and Cr-doped Ba 1-x Co x Fe 12-y Cr y O 19 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via the microemulsion route. The effects of Co and Cr substitution on the structural, dielectric, optical, and photocatalytic properties of the NPs were investigated. The Ba 1-x Co x Fe 12-y Cr y O 19 NPs were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Raman scattering, and dielectric measurements. The Ba 1-x Co x Fe 12-y Cr y O 19 NPs were obtained in a single phase with an average crystallite size of 18 nm. The dielectric constant of the NPs decreased, while the dielectric loss and tangent loss increased with increasing dopant (Co and Cr) contents. The photocatalytic activities (PCAs) of the Ba 1-x Co x Fe 12-y Cr y O 19 and BaFe 12 O 19 NPs were appraised by carrying out the degradation of CV (crystal violet) dye under solar light irradiation. The doping improved the PCA of BaFe 12 O 19, and up to 64.23% of the CV dye could be degraded within 60 min under visible light irradiation. The Ba 1-x Co x Fe 12-y Cr y O 19 NPs showed great potential for application as an economic photocatalyst as they required solar light irradiation for the degradation of CV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is an emerging energy harvesting tool which converts direct sunlight into electrical energy. These cells have much better properties in contrast with silicon based solar cells because of their flexible nature, light weight, low cost, environment friendly nature, and involvement of a simple manufacturing process. Since, a photoanode is the backbone of DSSC, we synthesized a pure and 1% manganese (Mn) doped titanium dioxide (TiO 2) films by sol-gel method which are irradiated with silver (Ag) ions at two different concentrations (2 × 1014 and 4 × 1014) ions-cm−2. X-ray diffraction revealed that Mn doping followed by Ag irradiation transformed TiO 2 from pure anatase to rutile phase. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy exposed the reduction in band gap of TiO 2 film during this doping and irradiation process. Therefore, absorption is enhanced with red shift in UV-range. When these films are used as a photoanode in DSSC, 1% Mn doped TiO 2 film exposed with Ag at the concentration of (2 × 1014) ions-cm−2 exhibited maximum efficiency of 2.40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Efficacy of Sm 2 O 3 on nonlinear optical properties of borate-based glass has been studied in nanosecond and femtosecond regimes. • The nonlinear optical properties are enhanced with addition of Sm 2 O 3 to Li 2 O in the composition of the glass. • The nonlinear optical features are stronger under nanosecond pulse regime than those achieved at femtosecond regime. • The results indicate the lithium zinc borate glass bearing 5 mol% of Sm 2 O 3 is useful for the nonlinear photonic functionalities. Influence of samarium trioxide on nonlinear optical (NLO) traits such as NLO absorption and refraction attributes of lithium zinc borate glasses has been investigated respectively using the open– and closed–aperture Z–scan techniques in visible and near–infrared spectral regions under nanosecond and femtosecond pulse regimes. The open–aperture Z–scan observations identified reverse saturable absorption and the mechanism responsible was two–photon absorption. The closed–aperture Z–scan depicted positive nonlinear refraction caused by the effect of self–focusing. There was an improvement in the NLO features with the increased samarium tri–oxide quantity in the composition thanks to non–bridging oxygens formation and the high polarizability of samarium ions. The NLO coefficients were more robust under nanosecond pulse excitation than those obtained under femtosecond excitation, attributed to the influence of excited state absorption and the two-photon absorption and thermal effects arising from longer pulse duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Efficaccy of heat treatment on optical nonlinear features has been investigated. • Nonlinear optical features have been ascertained using femtosecond laser pulses. • The intensity–dependent nonlinear optical features were evaluated. • The results disclosed that the glasses are advantageous for nonlinear photonic functionalities depending on the input intensity. We present results from our experimental measurements on the effect of annealing and intensity–dependent femtosecond (MHz) third–order nonlinear optical (NLO) attributes of gold nanoparticles (NPs) embedded sodium borate glass specimens. A melt–quench procedure was used to fabricate the gold nanoparticle–loaded sodium antimony containing borate glasses, which were then subjected to different schedules of thermal treatment at 500 °C. The highest saturation intensity and nonlinear refraction magnitude were observed for the 7–hour annealed glass specimen (i.e., for NBAu–7 glass). Thus, on the NBAu–7 glass, intensity–sensitive NLO measurements were performed. The saturable absorption behavior that was detected at lower peak intensities switched to reverse saturable absorption during the exposure of NBAu–7 glass with high fluence laser pulses. While the sign of the nonlinear refraction remained unchanged, the magnitude increased. The methodology examined in this work may enable the fabrication of borate–based glasses loaded with gold NPs with high saturation intensities and robust nonlinear refractive index magnitudes to be used in optical switching operations. The results of the current study support that the NBAu–7 glass is advantageous for optical switching functions when exposed to low–energy laser pulses. In contrast, the same glass benefits optical limiting functions when exposed to high–fluence laser pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aims to study the influence of Pr3+ ions on the structural, optical, and gamma-ray shielding properties of borosilicate glasses. Therefore, a new series of boro-silicate glass reinforced by small concentrations of praseodymium oxide varied between 0 and 1 mol.%. The XRD was utilized to emphasize the amorphous phase of the fabricated glasses. Moreover, UV–Vis Spectroscopy is used to detect the absorbance which is used to evaluate the energy band gap (E g , eV) and Urbach energy (E u , eV). The optical results showed that the energy band gap for direct transition decreased from 3.508 eV to 3.086 eV and decreased for the indirect transition from 3.086 eV to 2.879 eV with raising the Pr 6 O 11 concentration in the fabricated glasses. The Monte Carlo simulation method was applied to simulate the average track length of γ-photons inside the fabricated boro-silicate. The linear attenuation coefficient for the fabricated boro-silicate glasses was enhanced by factors of 2.56 times (at 26 keV), 2.68 (at 103 keV), and 1.05 times (at 511 keV) with raising the Pr 6 O 11 concentration between 0 and 1 mol.%. The result depicts no considerable change in the γ-ray shielding properties observed at γ energy ≥511 keV. • A series of boro-silicate glass-reinforced Pr 6 O 11 was synthesized. • The energy band gap for direct transition decreased from 3.508 eV to 3.086 eV. • The MCNP code was used to evaluate the γ-ray shielding properties of the glasses. • A good enhancement in the γ-ray shielding properties at low energies was reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The glasses activated with Eu 2 O 3 and silver nanoparticles have been prepared by melt-quenching process. • Microscopic studies confirmed the formation of uniformly distributed spherical silver NPs. • The annealing process has been followed to tune the optical nonlinearities of glasses. • The α 2 grows with heat treatment durations up to 40 hrs, beyond which the α 2 deteriorated. • The study revealed, the glass heat treated at 40 hrs could be advantageous in fabricating power optical limiters. Achieving strong optical nonlinearities in vitreous nanocomposites is imperative for the advancement of futuristic telecommunication and photonic technologies. In this regard the borate materials (vitreous) are deemed to be important and currently available commercial hosts. In the current work, we demonstrate the tuning of the third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) attributes of borate-based glass samples doped with metal nanoparticles (NPs) and rare earth ions through annealing process. The NLO attributes, such as nonlinear optical absorption and refraction have been analysed by the sensitive Z-scan approach in the open and closed aperture configurations, respectively. The NLO features were examined in the near-infrared spectral region using ultrafast laser pulses fired at a high repetition rate from a Ti: sapphire laser oscillator. The open aperture data unveiled the existence of two-photon absorption whilst closed aperture indicated the occurrence of self-focusing nonlinear refraction. The NLO coefficients improved with heat treatment duration but the nonlinear absorption coefficient reduced at longer heat treatment schedules. The enhancement in the NLO coefficients is ascribed to the local field enriched by metallic silver NPs in the proximity of the rare earth ions when high-energy laser pulses irradiate the hosts. The results suggest the glasses routed with rare earth ions and metallic silver NPs annealed for 40 hrs at 450 °C are beneficial for optical communication and nonlinear photonic device applications, including optical limiting functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several advanced materials have been investigated for nonlinear optical device applications. However, oxide glasses are competing materials in contrast to those advanced materials due to ease of preparation in three dimensions with diverse shapes along with flexibility in choosing the composition which is essential to tune the nonlinear optical features for specific applications. Doping rare-earth ions is one of the methods used to tune the nonlinear optical features of glass specimens, and it has been explored extensively in recent years. Using femtosecond laser pulses, the effect of Er 2 O 3 concentration on nonlinear optical characteristics such as nonlinear absorption, nonlinear refraction, and optical limiting qualities was investigated using the Z-scan approach. The dual photon absorption and self‒focusing refraction nonlinear magnitudes are improved as the function of Er 2 O 3 content owing to the formation of non‒bridging oxygens and enhancement in polarizability of glasses while the optical limiting features were decreased. These nonlinear absorptions and optical limiting results endorse the high Er 2 O 3 loaded glasses are beneficial for nonlinear photonic devices functioning in the near-infrared regions. • Efficacy of Er 2 O 3 on third‒order nonlinear optical properties of glasses has been investigated. • Z‒scan patterns revealed the existence of two‒photon absorption and positive refraction nonlinearities. • Heavily Er 2 O 3 loaded glass exhibited strong nonlinear absorption with reduced optical limiting threshold. • The results suggest the glasses loaded with high Er 2 O 3 beneficial for ultra‒fast optical limiting devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacy of tri‒valent samarium ions concentration on the optical and third‒order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of multicomponent cadmium alkali borate‒based glasses prepared by standard melting‒quenching method has been investigated in this work. The optical properties of cadmium alkali borate glass activated by rare-earth oxide (i.e., Sm 2 O 3) were carried out by using UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy at room temperature. Optical absorption peaks were obtained around 402 nm, 1076 nm, and 1078 nm wavelength. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results revealed the existence of distinct borate units, in the structure of glasses used in the investigation. Z‒scan experiments in the near‒infrared (NIR) spectral regions utilizing the femtosecond (fs) laser pulses were used in order to evaluate the NLO parameters. The two‒photon absorption coefficient and the index of nonlinear refraction values improved significantly for 2 mol% of Sm 2 O 3. This endorses 2 mol% of Sm 2 O 3 encompassed glasses are beneficial for constructing the NLO devices assigned to perform in the NIR region. • Effect of Sm 2 O 3 on third‒order nonlinear optical properties of multicomponent borate‒based glass was studied. • CA Z‒scan patterns exhibited positive nonlinear refraction manifested to self‒focusing effect. • OA Z‒scan patterns confirms existence of RSA manifested to TPA. • Multicomponent borate‒based glass containing 2 mol % of Sm 2 O 3 exhibited large TPA and χ(3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical, optical, and gamma ray shielding behavior of the four Bi 2 O 3 -Li 2 O-P 2 O 5 glasses with varying Li 2 O and Bi 2 O 3 compositions have been explored. The glass density increases from 2.44 to 3.85 g cm-3 with bismuth oxide content. The molar volume follows the same trend as density and the overall molar volume of these glasses increases, which in turn directly affects the oxygen packing density (OPD). Optical band gap energies decrease after lithium oxide is replaced with bismuth oxide. The values of M lie between 0.3485 and 0.3209 indicates that glasses under investigation are non-metallic. Radiation shielding evaluation using EpiXS software and Phy-X/PSD program shows comparable mass attenuation coefficients (MACs) but with relatively higher percent differences at energies near the K-edge energies of O (0.538 keV) and Bi (90.5 keV). The MACs of the glasses rise when Li 2 O oxide is replaced with Bi 2 O 3 oxide. The half-value layer (HVL) results showed the difference in the radiation shielding capabilities of the four glasses is more apparent at high energies. An increase in MAC and a decrease in HVL imply that adding Bi 2 O 3 to the glass improves its radiation attenuation properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacy of silver nanoparticles on tuning the optical nonlinear characteristics of Sm3+ doped borate‒based glasses has been investigated comprehensively and the outcomes are provided. The nonlinear optical (NLO) attributes were retrieved using the Z‒scan technique under an ultrafast pulse excitation with the wavelength ranging from 700 nm to 1000 nm. Reverse saturable absorption (RSA), ascribed to two‒photon absorption, was realized in open aperture Z‒scan profiles whereas refraction nonlinearity of positive type due to the self‒focusing was observed in closed aperture Z‒scan data. Based on the Z‒scan results along with the figure of merit condition (higher than unity), it was identified that the silver nanoparticles embedded Sm3+ containing glass hosts are competing materials for NLO device applications to function in near‒infrared region. • Influence of silver NPs content on NLO features of Sm3+ ions routed glasses has been studied. • Ultrafast NLO properties were investigated in the region of 700–1000 nm. • The NLO features were enhanced with increase of Ag NPs concentration. • The results revealed Ag NPs embedded glasses are competing materials for NLO devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exclusive set of multicomponent glasses (BTPME) with composition 39B 2 O 3 −20PbO–15TeO 2 −10P 2 O 5 −15MO–1Eu 2 O 3 (where M = BaO, CaO, SrO, Li 2 O, ZnO) have been fabricated. The structural and elastic features of the glasses are parameterized to define the effect of modifiers in the system. XRD, FTIR analyses were carried out for the evaluation of structural and compositional identification. The glass containing Zn (BTPZE) stands out of all the glasses based on the oxide ion polarizability, mechanic moduli that predicted its structure to be tightly packed. The glasses were undergone complex neutron shielding and gamma shielding evaluations based on macroscopic cross-sections calculation and Phy-X software, respectively. When comparing Li containing glass (BTPLE) and Ca containing glass (BTPCE), the fast neutron mass removal cross-section (Σ R /ρ) decrease 3.5 times the partial density increases only 1.6 times – a result is a decrease in Σ R from 0.1469 cm−1 to 0.1353 cm−1. In terms of radiation shielding ability, the greater effective atomic number (Z eff) typically signifies that the Ba containing glass (BTPBE) has the greatest potential in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma irradiation effect on absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and nonlinear optical (NLO) features of Eu3+ doped heavy metal borate glasses was studied and elucidated in detail. With blue light excitation, the emission intensity of Eu3+ doped glass was monitored with respect to irradiated dose. The PL intensity of the glasses was reduced with a raise in gamma dose rate because of the formation of colour centres. The quality of the emission colour of the pre- and post-irradiated glasses was analysed using 1931 CIE system. The Nonlinear Optical (NLO) features were examined by the Z–scan technique in the near–infrared spectral region and using femtosecond pulse excitation. The NLO attributes were enhanced with increase gamma irradiation dose. These enhancements are ascribed to the development of defects and non–bridging oxygens when irradiated with gamma radiation. The enhancement of NLO coefficients with gamma irradiation dose suggest the high dose irradiated glasses are useful for photonic device applications, particularly for optical limiters. • Influence of gamma irradiation on the PL and NLO properties of Eu3+ doped heavy metal borate glasses was investigated. • PL properties were evaluated under blue light excitation. • PL intensity of the glasses was reduced with a raise in gamma dose rate. • NLO attributes were enhanced with increase gamma irradiation dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]