Synthesis, Morphology and Luminescence Properties of Pr3+-containing Phosphate-Molybdate Glass-Ceramics

The procedure for synthesis of luminescent glass-ceramics consisting of 37.09K2 O-31.79P2 O5-25.43MoO3-5.69Bi2 O3 vitreous phase and KBi0.993 Pr0.007(MoO4)2 micro/nanocrystals was described. The results of powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, FTIR and luminescence spectroscopy studies were discussed. It was found that the glass-ceramics samples consist mainly of amorphous phase. The FTIR spectra of the samples indicate a presence of MoO4^2- and PO4^3- tetrahedra, as well as MoO6^6- octahedra in the vitreous framework. The uniform distribution of microsized crystals of potassium bismuth molybdate were found at surfaces of the samples. The KBi0.993 Pr0.007(MoO4)2 grains act as crystallization centres during glass-ceramics preparation. The studied samples revealed the luminescence bands of f-f transitions in Pr³⁺ ions. The broadening of Pr³⁺ emission bands in glass-ceramic samples was ascribed to migration of some rare-earth ions from crystalline component into glass host as well to formation of BiPO4 microcrystals.