Synthesis, Characterization, and Optical Properties of Ytterbium(III) Phosphates and Their Incorporation in Different Glass Matrices

Nanosized hydrated YbPO4 center dot nH(2)O powders were prepared by precipitation from aqueous solutions. It is shown that the structure, optical properties, and size of the raw particles can be further tailored by the subsequent calcination. The raw hydrous crystals transform into the anhydrous YbPO4 xenotime form after calcination at temperatures above 800 degrees C. In comparison with the hydrous form, the latter is characterized by a well-defined defect-free xenotime structure and multiple sharp peaks in the absorption and emission bands due to the splitting of Yb3+2F7/2 and F-2(5/2) manifolds into multiple Stark sublevels as well as by a significant increase in the near-infrared photoluminescence intensity. It is demonstrated that the synthesized YbPO4 phosphors can withstand the corrosive behavior of phosphate glass melts; their reaction with silica glass at temperatures up to 2000 degrees C is negligible, and thus, YbPO4 particles can be used to prepare translucent glass-crystal composites.

Automated summary

Nanosized hydrated YbPO4·nH2O powders were prepared and further transformed into anhydrous YbPO4 xenotime form after calcination, displaying well-defined structure and enhanced optical properties. The synthesized YbPO4 phosphors show excellent resistance to corrosion and negligible reaction with silica glass at high temperatures, making them suitable for preparing translucent glass-crystal composites.