Evolution of crystalline phases in glass matrix and their effect on optical and photoluminescent properties of silicate glasses derived from agro-food wastes

Abstract

The glass was synthesized using sustainable agro-food waste such as corn husk (CHA), sugar cane leaves ash (SCLA), and eggshell powder (ESP). Further, the glass is doped with 0.5 and 1 wt% of Dy₂O₃ and heat treated at 800, 900, and 1000 °C to convert into glass ceramics. The heat-treated glass ceramics are characterized and tested by various techniques. The optical bandgap is decreased with crystalline phase formation. The photoluminescence studies reveal the strong emission peaks corresponding to Dy³⁺ transitions, the emission peaks at 483 nm (blue), 576 (yellow), 664, and 753 nm (red) corresponding to ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2, ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2, ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_11/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶ H_9/2 transitions and CIE coordinates approaching white light coordinates with the increase in higher temperatures and at high Dy³⁺ doping concentrations. The obtained results were compared with glass and crystalline counterparts of silicate-based glasses. The study highlights the potential of using agro-food waste-derived glass ceramics as host materials without hampering photoluminescence properties and can be used in energy-efficient solid-state lighting applications.