Glasses and glass-ceramics in (ZrF4-BaF2)-NaPO3-ErF3 system

•The glasses and glass-ceramics in the BaZrF6–NaPO3-ErF3 system have been fabricated and studied.•The ratios of the components at which glasses and glass-ceramics are formed have been determined.•Erbium ions in the system are localized predominantly in the fluorozirconate surrounding.•Erbium trifluoride does not affect glass-forming and the structure of the glasses but affects the crystallization process.•The presence of erbium trifluoride in the system ensures the luminescent properties of both glasses and glass-ceramics. Glasses and glass-ceramic samples in the BaZrF6-NaPO3 system doped with ErF3 have been synthesized. The component ratios, at which glasses and glass phases with crystals of different compositions are formed, have been determined. Two independent glass phases are formed in the system: phosphate and fluorozirconate. Dopant ions are localized mainly in the fluorozirconate matrix. The presence of erbium trifluoride in the system provides the luminescent properties of both produced glasses and glass-ceramics.