Reduction and luminescence of europium ions in glass ceramics containing SrF2 nanocrystals

Reduction of Eu3+ → Eu2+ and luminescence of europium (Eu) ions in glass ceramics containing SrF2 nanocrystals have been investigated. The formation of SrF2 nanocrystals in glass ceramics was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Blue luminescence of the Eu2+ ions was observed in the Eu doped glass ceramics which were prepared by the heat treatment of the glass in air atmosphere. The double-exponential decay curves of 5D0 state of Eu3+ in the Eu doped glass ceramics indicated that there were two different surroundings of the Eu ions in the glass ceramics.