X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of Sm3+-doped CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 glasses and glass ceramics

Sm3+ doped CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 glass and glass ceramics have been prepared. The diopside crystal (CaMgSi2O6) was identified in the glass ceramics by X-ray diffraction analysis. X-ray photoelectron spectra of the glass and glass ceramics were measured by a monochromatised Al-Kα XPS instrument. Sm 3d core level spectra for the Sm doped samples showed that Sm ions are predominantly in the Sm (III) state in glass and glass ceramics. The O 1s core spectra could be fitted by summing the contributions from bridging oxygen (BO) and non bridging oxygen (NBO) for samarium undoped glass, BO, NBO and Si-O-Sm for the doped glass. The O 1s XPS spectrum of undoped glass ceramics was curve fitted with BO and NBO in glass phase, as well as SiOSi, SiOMg and SiOCa in diopside. In addition to the five components above mentioned, SiOSm in diopside also appeared in O 1s XPS spectra of samarium doped glass ceramics. According to the fitting results, we demonstrate that the Sm2O3 exist in glass network as a glass modifier. After heat treatment, nearly all the Sm3+ existed in diopside phase as the substitution for Ca2+.

Research highlights▶ The Sm3+-doped CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 glass and glass ceramics were investigated. ▶ Diopside crystal precipitated in the amorphous phase after heat treatment. ▶ Oxidation state of the Sm in samples was 3+. ▶ Sm2O3 behave as a glass modifier introducing NBO in glass. ▶ Sm3+ existed in diopside phase as the substitution for Ca2+ after heat treatment.