Er3+ Incorporated Transparent Ternary Nanocomposite as Active Core Material in Polymer Optical Preform with Improved Photo-emission Performance

Abstract

Background: A polymer as a host in the optical waveguide has many advantages and, when doped with rare-earth (RE) elements, offers an efficient connection, compared to its glassbased counterparts as an amplifier. However, a polymer matrix causes the concentration quenching effect of REs in the polymer matrix, making the fabrication of RE-doped polymer waveguides more complicated as compared to the fabrication of glass-based complements. Moreover, controlling scattering loss at the particle-polymer interface for maintaining the optical clarity of the composite is also a great challenge. Objective: The main aim of the present study was to optimize the synthesis of Er2O3 grafted Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-Polystyrene (PS) composite based transparent ternary nanocomposite and its characterization to implement them as a potential material for active core in Polymer Optical Preform (POP). Methods: Nano Erbium Oxide (Er2O3) was successfully synthesized by the wet-chemical method and encapsulated by a polymerizable surfactant, i.e., 3-Methacyloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (MPS). The encapsulated nanoparticles were further subjected to grafting with PMMA using in-situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) followed by blending with PS via solvent mixing technique. Results: The optical transparency of the ternary composite was achieved by fine-tuning the diameter (15-20 nm) of the PMMA coated Er2O3 . The crystallinity present in Er2O3 was significantly reduced after PMMA coating. The comparatively higher refractive index obtained at 589 nm wavelength for the synthesized material indicated its usability as active core material in the presence of a commercial acrylate cladding tube. A photoluminescence (Pl) study indicated that the technique might be used for a higher level of Er3+ doping in polymer matrix without sacrificing its transparency. Conclusion: The obtained results indicated that the sample synthesized with the adopted technique gives better Pl intensity compared to the other methods of Er3+ incorporation in polymer optical preform (POP).