White light and near-infrared emissions of Pr3+ ions in SiO2-LaF3 sol–gel nano-glass-ceramics

White light and NIR luminescence were obtained for oxyfluoride nano-glass-ceramics doped with Pr 3+ ions prepared by the sol–gel method as an interesting alternative for well-known Pr 3+ -doped materials fabricated by the melt-quenching technique.