Structural and Photoluminescence Investigations of Tb3+/Eu3+ Co-Doped Silicate Sol-Gel Glass-Ceramics Containing CaF2 Nanocrystals

In this work, the series of Tb3+/Eu3+ co-doped xerogels and derivative glass-ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals were prepared and characterized. The in situ formation of fluoride crystals was verified by an X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The studies of the Tb3+/Eu3+ energy transfer (ET) process were performed based on excitation and emission spectra along with luminescence decay analysis. According to emission spectra recorded under near-ultraviolet (NUV) excitation (351 nm, F-7(6) -> L-5(9) transition of Tb3+), the mutual coexistence of the D-5(4) -> F-7(J) (J = 6-3) (Tb3+) and the D-5(0) -> F-7(J) (J = 0-4) (Eu3+) luminescence bands was clearly observed. The co-doping also resulted in gradual shortening of a lifetime from the D-5(4) state of Tb3+ ions, and the ET efficiencies were varied from eta(ET) = 11.9% (Tb3+:Eu3+ = 1:0.5) to eta(ET) = 22.9% (Tb3+:Eu3+ = 1:2) for xerogels, and from eta(ET) = 25.7% (Tb3+:Eu3+ = 1:0.5) up to eta(ET) = 67.4% (Tb3+:Eu3+ = 1:2) for glass-ceramics. Performed decay analysis from the D-5(0) (Eu3+) and the D-5(4) (Tb3+) state revealed a correlation with the change in Tb3+-Eu3+ and Eu3+-Eu3+ interionic distances resulting from both the variable Tb3+:Eu3+ molar ratio and their partial segregation in CaF2 nanophase.

Automated summary

In this study, Tb3+/Eu3+ co-doped xerogels and glass-ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals were prepared and characterized, with in situ formation of fluoride crystals verified by XRD and TEM. The study of Tb3+/Eu3+ energy transfer process was conducted through excitation and emission spectra, showing varying ET efficiencies due to different molar ratios and interionic distances. The presence of luminescence bands for both Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions under NUV excitation was observed, indicating their mutual coexistence and the effect of co-doping on fluorescence lifetimes.