Nanoparticles-containing glasses using direct doping method

Abstract

In this thesis, the direct doping method was optimized to prepare microparticles CaAl2O4: Eu2+, Nd3+ and nanoparticles NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+ containing oxyfluoride phos-phate glasses. The produced samples were characterized using SEM/EDS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, photoluminescence or upconversion measurement. In this work, new oxyfluoride glasses were processed within the system 90NaPO3-(10-x)Na2O-xNaF with x ranging from 0 to 10 (in mol%) and characterized. The progressive replacement of Na2O by NaF increases the network connectivity. Their melting temperature is lower than 750oC and well-suited for adding active NaYF4 nanoparticles. The direct doping method was applied successfully to produce upconverter oxyfluoride glasses. The best doping parameters here were identified: 575oC as the doping temperature and 3-minute dwell time, which most effectively balance the dispersion and survival of the particles in the glass. However, these parameters can still be adjusted for even better results. In addition, we showed that the corrosive behavior between the host and the particles depends not only on the glass melting temperature, but also on the nature of the particles.