Preparation and photoluminescence properties of fluorosilicate glass ceramics containing CeOF: Dy3+ nanocrystals

The Ce3+ and Dy3+ co-doped oxyfluoride glasses and glass ceramics containing CeOF or CeF3 nanocrystals have been prepared in the reducing atmosphere. The crystallinity increased significantly with the Ce3+ concentration, while the crystal size of nanocrystals is mainly influenced by the annealing temperatures. The glasses and glass ceramics emitted white light, deriving from a combination of the Ce3+ blue and the Dy3+ yellow light. The emission intensity and CIE chromaticity coordinates of the Ce3+ and Dy3+ co-doped glasses can be tuned by adjusting the ratio of Ce3+/Dy3+ concentration or the annealing temperature.

► CeOF: Dy3+ nanocrystals are precipitated in fluorosilicate glass ceramics.
► Energy transfers from Ce3+ to Dy3+ more efficiently in CeOF: Dy3+ than in glass.
► The glass ceramics emit white light with CIE coordinates close to (0.3, 0.3).
► The CIE coordinates can be tuned by adjusting the ratio of Ce3+/Dy3+.
► The luminescence can be enhanced largely by annealing processes.