Influence of LaF3 on the crystallization and luminescence of Eu-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.