Determination and Optimization of the Luminescence External Quantum Efficiency of Silver-Clusters Zeolite Composites

We have measured for the first time the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of silver clusters containing zeolites (henceforth referred to as silver-clusters zeolite composites). These materials, fabricated by silver cation exchange followed by a thermal autoreduction process, have EQEs up to 69%. Because of their unique spectral features such as large Stokes shift and high EQE, these materials could be potentially used as phosphors for the fabrication of fluorescent lamps and as wavelength convertors in solar cells. An EQE comparison between less pure commercial silver-loaded zeolites and self-synthesized silver-zeolites showed the importance of the chemical and optical purity of the starting host material. Besides this, the zeolite topology and silver content play an important role on the luminescent performance of such materials. The ability to reliably measure the EQE enabled us to further optimize the synthesis of silver-zeolite composites. A new reduction–oxidation cycle is demonstrated not only to improve the luminescent performance of the silver-zeolite composites but also to enhance their water stability