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

Samarium doped zinc phosphates ySm(2)O(3)-(72-y)ZnO-28P(2)O(5) 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 degrees C), they are not sensitive to moisture and are thus suitable for a number of industrial applications.