Structural evolution of luminescence nanoparticles with rare-earth ions in the oxyfluoride glass ceramics

Abstract

The structure of up-conversion luminescent nanoparticles in oxyfluoride glass ceramics doped with rare-earth ions has been studied by using small-angle neutron scattering and atomic force microscopy. The formation of rather large amorphous nanoparticles with an average size of about 30 nm was found for the initial system. At temperature treatment above 380°С with increased processing time, the initial large nanoparticles divide into the smaller ones with the average sizes in the range of 14–20 nm. It is assumed that this process corresponds to crystallization of the lead fluoride component with the formation of up-conversion luminescence centers. The structural parameters, morphology and size distributions of both amorphous and crystalline nanoparticles have been obtained.