Structural and luminescent properties of YOF:Eu3+ nanocrystals embedded glass-ceramics derived by Spark Plasma Sintering

Abstract

Luminescent silica-based glass-ceramics (GCs) embedded with YOF:Eu 3+ nanocrystals (NCs) were prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering at a relatively low temperature (980 °C) within 10 min. XRD data and TEM images clearly confirmed the presence of highly crystallized tetragonal YOF:Eu 3+ NCs in the amorphous silica glass matrix without obviously interfacial reaction. The GC samples showed typical intense reddish-orange emission, which can be ascribed to the 5 D 0 → 7 F j transitions of Eu 3+ , upon excitation of 393 nm. Additionally, a small PL intensity ratio of 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 / 5 D 0 → 7 F 1 revealed that majority of Eu 3+ ions are well retained in YOF NCs after sintering, which was further verified by the Judd-Ofelt parameters. The lifetime of GC sample was well fitted by a single exponential function and calculated to be 1.086 ms, which was similar to that of as-synthesized YOF:Eu 3+ NCs (1.104 ms). Hence, these results demonstrated that YOF:Eu 3+ NCs were well protected via this fabrication method of GC composites, guaranteeing high optical performance. • Rapid sintering (within 10 min) at a relatively low temperature (980 °C) , no melting process. • The YOF:Eu 3+ nanocrystals were homogeneously dispersed in the glass matrix without interfacial reactions. • The prepared YOF:Eu 3+ nanocrystals embedded glass exhibited intense reddish-orange emitting and long lifetime of 1.086 ms. • MMajority of Eu 3+ ions were well protected and resided in YOF low phonon crystal in composite glass.