Crystallization behavior and enhanced fluorescence properties of Yb3+/Ho3+/Tb3+ co-doped transparent glass-ceramics containing oxyapatite-type Na3YSi2O7 crystals

The Yb3+/Ho3+/Tb3+ co-doped Na2O-Y2O3-SiO2 system transparent glass-ceramics containing oxyapatite-type Na3YSi2O7 (NYS) crystals were prepared. The structure of the crystal was characterized by XRD and TEM. The most suitable heat treatment process was confirmed by DSC and TEM results. The strongest emission peak in the fluorescence spectra relates to the Tb3+: 5D4→7F5 transition. In the CIE chromaticity diagram, the luminescence is concentrated in the green area. The emission intensity of the glass-ceramic is increased by 7 times compared with the precursor glass. The increase in emission intensity is caused by the entry of rare-earth ions into the Na3YSi2O7 grains to replace the positions of Y3+ ions. The fluorescence properties of the glass-ceramics containing Na3YSi2O7 crystals were tested at different temperatures. It is demonstrated that the luminescent materials show good thermal stability. The obtained glass-ceramic would be a candidate material for green diode elements. •TThe Yb3+/Ho3+/Tb3+ co-doped SiO2-Y2O3-Na2O parent (PG) glass was prepared.•Glass-ceramics (GC) containing Na3YSi2O7 crystals are obtained by two-step heat-treatment.•Emission intensity of Tb3+ in transparent GCs containing Na3YSi2O7 is 7 times that of PG.•Luminescence properties of Tb3+ in transparent GCs containing Na3YSi2O7 show good stability.