Long-lived emission from Eu3+:PbF2 nanocrystals distributed into sol–gel silica glass

Barbara Szpikowska-Sroka,Andrzej S Swinarew,Wojciech A Pisarski,Tomasz Goryczka,Maria Żądło,Lidia Żur,Rozalia Czoik

doi:10.1007/s10971-013-3164-9

Barbara Szpikowska-Sroka, Andrzej S Swinarew + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-013-3164-9

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Abstract

This paper reports an optical investigation of Eu3+:PbF2 nanocrystals distributed into silica glasses fabricated by sol–gel methods. The sample microstructure was investigated using scanning transmission electron microscopy. The β-cubic PbF2 crystalline phase was identified using X-ray diffraction analysis. The observed emission bands correspond to 5D0 → 7FJ (J = 0–4) transitions of Eu3+. The spectroscopic parameters for Eu3+ ions were determined based on excitation and emission measurements as well as luminescence decay analysis. Emission originating from 5D0 state of Eu3+ ions in sample containing PbF2 nanocrystals is long-lived in comparison to precursor sol–gel silica glasses.

Highlights

In recent years rare earth doped glass materials have been extensively investigated due to their interesting optical properties and applications in optoelectronics
This paper reports an optical investigation of Eu3?:PbF2 nanocrystals distributed into silica glasses fabricated by sol–gel methods
During heat treatment process close to the crystallization temperature the oxyfluoride glass–ceramics can be obtained, in which fluoride crystallites are dispersed in the amorphous matrix and rare earth ions are usually incorporated into crystalline phase

Summary

Introduction

In recent years rare earth doped glass materials have been extensively investigated due to their interesting optical properties and applications in optoelectronics. During heat treatment process close to the crystallization temperature the oxyfluoride glass–ceramics can be obtained, in which fluoride crystallites are dispersed in the amorphous matrix and rare earth ions are usually incorporated into crystalline phase. In the literature there are many published works on the emission properties of Eu3?, some of them are concentrated on the sol–gel synthesis and preparation of europium doped fluoride nanocrystals (e.g. NaYF4, CaF2, BaF2, LaF3, YF3, LiGdF4) using heat treatment process [11–16]. There are no reports on the preparation of Eu3?-doped PbF2–SiO2 glass system by sol–gel method and fabrication of Eu3?:PbF2 nanocrystals.

Experimental

Structural properties

Excitation and luminescence properties

Conclusions