Influence of cerium content and heat treatment on Ce:YAG@glass wool nanostructures

The paper reports the influence of cerium content and heat treatment on composition, structural features and optical properties of nanostructures constituted by a layer of Ce:YAG nanoparticles on glass wool (Ce:YAG@GW). The Ce:YAG@GW nanostructures were obtained embedding the glass wool (GW) in a gel-like precursor and calcining at 800 and 900 °C. Gel-like precursor of urea glass route (UGR) method has been used to prepare both nanostructures and Ce:YAG nanoparticles prepared as references. Structural properties were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Results showed that the composition of the final products strongly depends both on the cerium content and temperature. Optical properties of best materials have been investigated in order to verify their suitability for lighting applications. Obtained results show relatively high quantum efficiency for Ce:YAG@GW treated at 800 °C comparing with the Ce:YAG nanoparticles obtained at the same temperature confirming the improved luminescence properties of the nanoparticles when they are applied on GW surface.