Synthesis and morphology of Ba1−xRE2x/3Nb2O6 nanocrystals with tungsten bronze structure in RE2O3-BaO-Nb2O5-B2O3 glasses (RE: Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er)

► Ba1−xRE2x/3Nb2O6 nanocrystals with a tetragonal tungsten bronze structure are synthesized. ► A glass crystallization technique was applied. ► The morphology of Ba1−xRE2x/3Nb2O6 nanocrystals is ellipsoidal. ► The average particle size with 15-60 nm decreases with decreasing ionic radius of RE3+. ► Ba1−xRE2x/3Nb2O6 nanocrystals have a high potential as photoluminescence materials.