Effect of sintering temperature on the luminescent properties of Eu2 +/Dy3 + co-doped high silica glass

Eu2 +/Dy3 + co-doped high silica glasses with different holding temperatures (T1) and the highest sintering temperatures (T2) were prepared. The emission spectra, infrared absorption spectra, and densities of glass samples show that T1 can greatly influence the shrinkage process of porous glass and T2 decides the residual content of OH groups in sintered samples, which are both important influencing factors on the luminescent properties. The Eu2 +/Dy3 + co-doped high silica glass sintered at T1 = 800 °C and T2 = 1000 °C has the highest luminescent intensity for its least residual pores and OH groups. Besides, the theory of pore shrinkage was also referred to explain the experimental results.

► Effect of sintering temperature on luminescence properties was investigated.
► The theory of pore shrinkage in thermal treatments was researched qualitatively.
► The holding temperature T1 influences the content of residual pores and effective RE ions.
► The highest sintering temperature T2 decides the residual content of OH groups.
► We indicated how to choose sintering temperature for high silica luminescence glass.