Molecular dynamics simulation and crystal field calculations of the Eu2O3-PbO-SiO2 glassy system submitted to long annealing time

• The Eu3 + ions are nucleating centrosymmetric sites
• The emission spectra of Eu3 + are similar in different glass systems

The Eu2O3-PbO-SiO2 glassy system submitted to a long annealing time (100 ps) has been obtained by molecular dynamics calculations. The average of 87/86 sites of the Eu3 + ion with six/seven nearest neighbours are used to discuss the number of lines and the local symmetry of the luminescent site through the crystal field parameters, using the simple overlap model in the frame of the method of equivalent nearest neighbours. The magnitude of the Bq2(q = 0, 1, 2) and the non-negligible B44 and B46(B34, B36 and B66) lead to the indication of distorted C4h and C3i site symmetries of the six and seven nearest neighbours, respectively. We have then compared very satisfactorily our 7F1 sublevels calculations with those observed in the emission spectra of an Eu-borate glass annealed for 30 min and 17 h. This comparison is justified because the emission behaviour of europium ions in different glassy systems are honestly very similar. Further, the decrease observed in the 5D0→7F2/5D0→7F1 transition intensity ratio is a clear indication that the Eu3 + ion are nucleating a crystalline phase. Such satisfactory comparisons indicate that we have obtained a transparent glass-ceramics.