Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of Eu3+-Doped Complex Borosilicate Glasses

Glasses with compositions (52.5 - x/2)B₂O₃:(12.5 - x/2)SiO₂:25La₂O₃:5ZnO:5CaO:0.5Eu₂O₃:xWO₃, x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 20 (mol%) were prepared by conventional melt-quenching method and investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, DSC analysis, DR-UV-Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Physical parameters like density, molar volume, oxygen molar volume and oxygen packing density were also determined. Their values, as well as DR-UV-Vis spectroscopy results, indicate that the tungstate ions incorporate into the base borosilicate glass as tetrahedral WO₄ and octahedral WO₆ groups. With increasing WO₃ content over 5 mol%, WO₆ units are progressively linked to each other by W-O-W bonds, leading to the formation of a more connected and homogeneous glass network. Glasses are characterized by a high glass transition temperature (over 650 °C) and good thermal stability. The emission intensity of the Eu³⁺ ion increases with the introduction of WO₃ due to the occurrence of non-radiative energy transfer from the tungstate groups to the active ion. The most intense luminescence peak observed at 612 nm suggests that the glasses are potential materials for red emission.