Eu3+ ions incorporated in sintered porous glasses: Structural and optical characterization

A nanoporous silica glass is used as host for Eu3+-ions by immersion in Eu(NO3)3 solution. After sintering of the immersed glass, a very intense red emission is observed under UV excitation. The analysis of the luminescence shows that the native porous glass also presents an inherent luminescence in the blue range, originated from SiO2 centers and oxygen-deficiency-related defects. The microstructure and elemental distribution of the glass was investigated by (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), respectively. Eu3+ ions are localized in round particles of hundreds of nanometers within the silica matrix.