Thermally activated conversion of a silicate gel to an oxyfluoride glass ceramic: Optical study using Eu3+ probe ion

Glass ceramization is based on a homogenous crystallization mechanism with BaF2 nucleation centres resulted from thermal decomposition of Ba-trifluoacetate at around 300 °C followed by subsequent growth into BaF2 nanocrystals above 600 °C; Eu3+-ions are incorporated during the nanocrystals growth.