Synthesis, luminescence and phase composition of samarium-doped zinc phosphate glass ceramics

Samarium doped zinc phosphates ySm2O3–(72–y)ZnO–28P2O5 where y varies between 0·03 and 0·28 mol% were synthesised using the melt quenching method and investigated by photoluminescence, powder x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX). The results demonstrate that glass-ceramic materials are reproducibly obtained in all cases, with optically active Sm3+ ions stabilised within both the glass and crystalline phases formed during the synthesis. The obtained materials display strong orange-red emission under UV irradiation. Further, the materials are stable over a broad temperature interval with comparatively high glass transition temperatures (T g above 300°C), they are not sensitive to moisture and are thus suitable for a number of industrial applications