Crystallization and luminescence properties of Eu2+ doped diopside glass ceramics

Abstract
Eu2+ doped glass ceramics have been prepared and characterized. The crystallization and optical properties of the glass ceramics were studied by XRD, SEM, and fluorescence spectra. The precipitated crystalline phase in the glass ceramics was prismatic diopside (CaMgSi2O6) and plate-like cristobalite (β-SiO2). As the heat treatment time increases, the content of crystals increases gradually. Fluorescence measurements showed that Eu2+ ions entered into the diopside crystalline phase and induced a much stronger emission in the glass ceramics than that in the corresponding glass. With increase of Eu2+ content, concentration quenching was observed.