Eu3+-doped transparent potassium lanthanum silicate (KLaSiO4) glass-ceramic nanocomposites: Synthesis, properties and application

The preparation of Eu3+-doped novel K2O-La2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 (KLAS)-based glass and transparent KLS (KLaSiO4) glass-ceramic (GC) nanocomposites is reported. Nanostructures of the transparent GCs were analyzed by FE-SEM, H(R)-TEM and SAED techniques. The average size of the crystallites is calculated using XRD data and found to be in the range 13-19 nm which is matched well with the average particle size observed from TEM images in the range 5-18 nm. Photoluminescence spectra of Eu3+ ions exhibit emission transitions of D-5(0)-> F-7(j) (j = 0 and 1-4) under the excitation at 394 nm. The emission spectra reveals up to 3-fold enhancement of luminescence performance of the KLS GC nanocomposites compared to as-prepared glass. This enhancement is caused due to entering of Eu3+ ions into the KLS crystal sites by replacing the La3+ ions. Such luminescence properties of KLS glass-ceramic nanocomposites could be a promising candidate as laser host for many laser devices.