Novel photoluminescent materials based on gallium silicate inorganic polymer hosts activated with Sm3Â + or Eu3Â +

Novel photoluminescent materials were prepared by ion exchange of a potassium gallium silicate inorganic polymer host with Sm3 + and Eu3 +. The host materials and phosphors were characterised by XRD, 71Ga and 29Si MAS NMR, PIXE, XPS, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The phosphors exhibited the characteristic 4f-4f emission peaks of Sm3 + and Eu3 + ions, and also broad blue and green emission bands associated with the inorganic polymer host. The rare earth photoluminescence intensity of the Sm3 +- and Eu3 +- exchanged potassium gallium silicate inorganic polymers could be considerably enhanced by heat treatment in air at 1000 °C. The heated materials consisted of a mixture of crystalline β-Ga2O3 and remaining amorphous gallium silicate inorganic polymer phase with an increased silica content.