Effects of Tm3+ Additions on the Crystallization of LaF3 Nanocrystals in Oxyfluoride Glasses: Optical Characterization and Up‐Conversion. Issue 2 (12th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Pablos‐Martín, A.; Ristic, D.; Bhattacharyya, S.; Höche, Th.; Mather, G.C.; O Ramírez, M.; Soria, S.; Ferrari, M.; Righini, G.C.; Bausá, L.E.; Durán, A.; Pascual, M.J.; McKittrick, J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Ceramic Society. Volume 96:Issue 2(2013)
• Page Start: 447
• Page End: 457
• Publication Date: 2012-12-12
• Subjects: Ceramics -- Periodicals; 620.1405
• DOI: 10.1111/jace.12120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7820

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jace12120-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The influence of the addition of 1 mol% Tm₂O₃ on the nanocrystallization of LaF₃ in a glass of composition 55SiO₂–20Al₂O₃–15Na₂O–10LaF₃ (mol%) has been studied. Tm₂O₃ affects the phase separation in the glass and delays the onset of crystallization with respect to the undoped glass. Additionally, the maximum LaF₃ crystal size is slightly greater than that in the undoped glass–ceramics. The microstructural and compositional changes in the glass matrix have been studied using several techniques, including viscosity, dilatometry, X‐ray and neutron diffraction (XRD, ND), quantitative Rietveld refinement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Raman spectroscopy. Photoluminescence measurements indicate that the Tm³⁺ ions are distributed between the glassy matrix and LaF₃ crystals. Eu₂O₃ has been used as structure probe and part of the Eu³⁺ ions are reduced to Eu²⁺ when incorporated in the LaF₃ nano‐crystals. Up‐conversion spectra under IR‐excitation show a higher intensity of the blue emission in the Tm‐doped glass–ceramic compared with that in the glass.</p> </abstract>