Effect of AlN addition on spatial uniform distribution of Er 3+-doped CaF2 nanocrystals in oxyfluoride glass-ceramics

Abstract

The morphology and spatial distribution state of CaF2 nanocrystals in oxyfluoride glass-ceramics based on the ErF3-CaF 2-Al2O3-SiO2 system with different ErF3 contents of 1-3 mol % and the addition of AlN were examined from transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations. The content of 3mol% ErF3 induced the growth of CaF2 nanocrystals with star-like morphologies and their assemblies with the size of ∼70 nm. The addition of a small amount (2mol%) of AlN has a remarkable effect on the spatial uniform distribution (i.e., disappearance of assembly) of CaF2 nanocrystals. The present study proposes a new method for the design of composition in rare-earth doped oxyfluoride glass-ceramics. © 2013 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.