Energy transfer from Bi3+ sensitizing the luminescence of Eu3+ in clusters embedded into sol–gel silica glasses

Abstract Y 3+ (La 3+ ), Eu 3+ and Bi 3+ ions co-doped sol–gel silica glasses were synthesized. Photoluminescence spectra show that there is energy transfer from Bi 3+ ions to the emission band of Eu 3+ ions. The co-dopants Y 3+ or La 3+ have strong effects on the local structure and luminescence of Eu 3+ ions. For 0.5 mol% Eu 3+ ions doped glasses, the co-doping of 1 mol% Bi 3+ and 1 mol% Y 3+ is the most appropriate for the sensitization from Bi 3+ to Eu 3+ . The sensitization effectiveness from Bi 3+ ions to Eu 3+ ions was studied by changing the amount of Bi 3+ and Y 3+ , and clusters containing rare earth ions and Bi 3+ ions dominate the energy transfer processes. The comparison of luminescent R -values (the intensity ratio of 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 / 5 D 0 → 7 F 1 in Eu 3+ ions) between glasses containing La 3+ and containing Y 3+ verifies the formation of clusters in sol–gel glasses. As a favorable configuration for energy transfer, the accurate design and synthesis of clusters-contained glasses may provide a new kind of luminescent materials.