Novel photoluminescent materials based on gallium silicate inorganic polymer hosts activated with Sm3+ or Eu3+

Abstract Novel photoluminescent materials were prepared by ion exchange of a potassium gallium silicate inorganic polymer host with Sm 3 + and Eu 3 + . The host materials and phosphors were characterised by XRD, 71 Ga and 29 Si MAS NMR, PIXE, XPS, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The phosphors exhibited the characteristic 4f-4f emission peaks of Sm 3 + and Eu 3 + ions, and also broad blue and green emission bands associated with the inorganic polymer host. The rare earth photoluminescence intensity of the Sm 3 + - and Eu 3 + - exchanged potassium gallium silicate inorganic polymers could be considerably enhanced by heat treatment in air at 1000 °C. The heated materials consisted of a mixture of crystalline β-Ga 2 O 3 and remaining amorphous gallium silicate inorganic polymer phase with an increased silica content.