Crystallization and luminescence properties of a new Eu3+-doped LaOCl nano-glass-ceramic

Abstract Glassy nanocomposites containing Eu 3+ -doped LaOCl nanocrystals of about tens of nm size embedded in a silica matrix have been prepared by using sol–gel route followed by controlled crystallization of the xerogel. Crystallization behavior of LaOCl nanocristalline phase was discussed on the basis of thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements. LaOCl nanocrystalline phase precipitation is the result of lanthanum chloride hydrolytic and oxidative reactions. As the annealing temperature increases nanocrystallites size grows up to tens of nm; Eu 3+ -ions are gradually incorporated during the nanocrystals growth. Structural changes were studied using the Eu 3+ as probe ion and the luminescence properties were analysed by using Judd–Ofelt theory.