Eu2+/Dy3+ co-doped white light emission glass ceramics under UV light excitation

In the present work, transparent Eu2+/Dy3+ co-doped white light-emitting glass ceramics containing CaF2 were successfully prepared under reducing atmosphere. Their luminescence properties have been studied by excitation and emission spectra. A combination of blue, yellow and red emissions has emerged in Eu2+/Dy3+ co-doped glass and glass ceramics, which allows the observation of bright white light when the samples are excited by the ultraviolet light. Energy transfer (ET) from Eu2+ to Dy3+ is discovered by directly observing the luminescence intensity of Dy3+ in the Eu2+/Dy3+ co-doped glass which is much stronger than that in the Dy3+-doped glass. ET from Eu2+ to Dy3+ in glass is further confirmed by fluorescence studies performed on the samples with various activator (Dy3+) concentrations. The color of luminescence could be adjusted by varying the proportions of europium and dysprosium. The optimal composition generates white light with chromaticity coordinates (0.296, 0.311). The results indicate that Eu2+/Dy3+ co-doped glass ceramics containing CaF2 nano-crystals is a potential material for white LED.

Research Highlights
► A novel Eu2+/Dy3+ white light emission glass ceramics containing CaF2 was prepared.
► Energy transfer from Eu2+ to Dy3+ is confirmed by fluorescence studies.
► The Eu3+ ions were efficiently reduces to Eu2+ ions in both glass and glass ceramics.
► The lumiescence intensity of the glass ceramics was enhanced significantly.