Distribution-related luminescence of Eu3+ sensitized by SnO2 nano-crystals embedding in oxide glassy matrix

Eu3+ doped transparent glass ceramics embedding SnO2 nano-crystals were prepared by melt quenching and subsequent heating. Site selective excitation experiments revealed that some Eu3+ ions were incorporated in the SnO2 lattices by substituting Sn4+ ions, whereas the rest located in the oxide glassy matrix. Interestingly, it is found that the Eu3+ ions residing in the SnO2 lattices exhibited much longer luminescent decay lifetime than those in the glassy matrix. Measurements on the photoluminescence excitation and photoluminescence spectra demonstrated the occurrence of energy transfer from the SnO2 nano-crystals to the Eu3+ ions. The influences of Eu3+ content, and furthermore, their location on the energy transfer process were discussed.