Effect of the Addition of WO3 on the Structure and Luminescent Properties of ZnO-B2O3:Eu3+ Glass

Glasses with the compositions in mol % of 50ZnO:(50 − x)B2O3:0.5Eu2O3:xWO3, x = 0, 1, 3, 5 and 10 were obtained by applying the melt-quenching method and investigated by Raman spectroscopy, DSC analysis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Raman spectra revealed that tungstate ions incorporate into the base zinc borate glass as tetrahedral WO42− groups, and octahedral WØ4O22− species with four bridging and two non-bridging oxygen atoms. There are also metaborate, BØ2O− and pyroborate units, B2O54−, in the glass networks. The glasses are characterized by good transmission in the visible region, at about 80%. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra evidenced that WO3 is an appropriate constituent for the modification of zinc borate glass structure and for enhancing the Eu3+ luminescent intensity. The most intense luminescence peak observed, at 612 nm, suggests that the glasses are potential materials for red emission.