Europium structural environment in a sodium disilicate glass by XAS

The structural environment of europium (Eu) in a synthetic silicate glass of Na2Si2O5 composition has been determined with the final purpose to carry out a detailed investigation of the role of europium in glasses by building a structural model as a function of glass composition.The sample analyzed in this study has been characterized through Eu L3-edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), which allowed to obtain Eu oxidation state, coordination number and the < Eu–O> bond distances in the glass. From EXAFS data analysis Eu results to be bonded to six oxygens (< Eu–O> = 2.26 ± 0.01 Å) at the corners of an almost regular octahedron.