The active environment influence on the luminescence of SnO2 nanoparticles’ ensembles in a porous matrix

Abstract

The environmental influence (with alkaline and acid components) on the luminescence character of SnO2 nanoparticles’ ensembles in a porous silicate glass matrix was studied. The established changes in the luminescence are associated with the interaction nature of alkaline or acid ions with nanoparticles in the pores of silicate glass. A sharp drop in the radiation intensity is due to the formation of unstable ammonia complexes SnO2[NH3] in the alkaline environmental with a large capture cross section. Such complexes are not formed in an acidic environmental, and a slow and smooth change in the photoluminescence intensity is associated with the penetration of HCl molecules into the pores with subsequent dissociation. A correlation was also established between the changes in luminescence behavior and the composition of the initial solution for the porous matrix impregnation. The possibility of spontaneous restoration of the initial characteristics of the investigated material is established. This and its almost absolute chemical resistance make it possible to use an ensemble of SnO2 nanoparticles in silicate porous glass as an active working material for a luminescent ammonia sensor.