Enhanced luminescent properties of Tb3+ ions in transparent glass ceramics containing BaGdF5 nanocrystals

Tb3+ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing BaGdF5 nanocrystals were prepared. The transmission spectra, photoluminescence spectra, decay time and X-ray excited luminescence spectra of the Tb3+-doped glass and glass ceramics were investigated. Energy transfer from Gd3+ to Tb3+ has been observed in the glass and glass ceramics. The emission intensity of green band (5D4→7FJ) of the Tb3+-doped glass ceramics is enhanced compared with that of the glass under ultraviolet and X-rays, which could be attributed to that the generation of BaGdF5 nanocrystals with low phonon energy reduces the non-radiative transitions. ► Tb3+ doped transparent glass ceramics containing BaGdF5 nanocrystals were prepared. ► Energy transfer from Gd3+ to Tb3+ is observed in the as-prepared glass and glass ceramics. ► The intensity of green emission of Tb3+ in the glass ceramics was enhanced significantly.