Luminescence and temperature sensing properties of Eu3+-Tb3+ doped NaGd(MoO4)2 glass ceramics

A series of NaGd(MoO4)2 glass ceramics containing Eu3+-Tb3+ were fabricated using the melt-curing crystallization method. These glass ceramics were subjected to various analyses, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and light transmittance curve analysis, to determine the optimal heat treatment conditions, which were determined to be 680 ℃/1.5 h. The XRD Rietveld analysis results confirmed the successful incorporation of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions into the NaGd(MoO4)2 lattice structure. Moreover, the glass ceramics exhibited a smaller optical bandgap than the precursor glass, as observed by absorption spectroscopy. The energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ was demonstrated through the excitation spectra, emission spectra, and fluorescence decay curves. The primary mechanism responsible for this energy transfer was identified as a dipoledipole interaction. The ability to produce multicolor tunable emission was achieved by varying the Eu3+ doping concentration at a fixed Tb3+ concentration. The fluorescence intensity ratio and temperature dependence of Tb3+ and Eu3+ were used to calculate the relative sensitivity (Sr), which reached a maximum of 3.34 % K−1 at 458 K. In conclusion, Eu3+-Tb3+ co-doped glass ceramics have promising potential for application in the fields of light-emitting diodes and temperature sensing.