Influence of LaF3 on the crystallization and luminescence of Eu3+-doped oxyfluoride glass ceramics

The influence of LaF3 on the crystallization behavior and luminescence of Eu3+ ions in the oxyfluoride borosilicate glass ceramics was investigated in details. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results indicated that the addition of LaF3 decreased the glass transition temperature and promoted the crystallization of BaF2 nanocrystals, which distributed homogeneously in the glassy matrix. A reduction of the lattice parameters of BaF2 nanocrystals, the obvious Stark splitting of emission peaks and long fluorescence lifetime evidenced the incorporation of Eu3+ and La3+ into the BaF2 lattice. Furthermore, experimental results indicated the distribution of Eu3+ ions in the oxyfluoride glass ceramics may be modified by the addition of LaF3 content.