The thermal study of oxyfluoride glass with strontium fluoride

A thulium (Tm 3+) doped oxyfluoride glass ceramic containing SrF2 nanocrystals has been presented. Transparent glass ceramic was obtained by heat treating the glass from the SiO2–Al2O3–ZnO–SrF2 system at the first crystallization temperature. Cerammization of glass was studied by DTA/DSC, XRD and SEM methods. It has been found that nanocrystallization of SrF2 strongly depends on the ratio between the components and amount of SrF2. Moreover the rare earth dopant Tm3+ influenced on the thermal properties of glass. The formation of SrF2 nanocrystals in glass ceramic was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. X-ray diffraction analysis of the transparent glass ceramic revealed that the SrF2 nanocrystals are precipitated in the glass matrix. Analysis of the local atomic interactions in the structure of oxyfluoride glass has been used to explain the course of the crystallization.

Research Highlights
► A thulium (Tm 3+) doped oxyfluoride glass ceramic containing SrF2 nanocrystals has been presented.
► Cerammization of glass from the SiO2–Al2O3–ZnO–SrF2 system was studied by DTA/DSC, XRD and SEM methods.
► It has been found that nanocrystallization of SrF2 strongly depends on the ratio between the components and amount of SrF2.
► Tm3+ ions increases the tendency to the crystallization.