Nanostructure investigation of Eu3+-containing porous silica glasses

Porous silica glasses of different porous sizes are used as hosts for Eu3+-ions from a Eu(NO3)3 solution. The glasses were subjected to a sintering process in which the porous microstructure collapses. This work is dedicated to the study of the microstructure of sintered glasses containing Eu3+ ions, through (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructure achieved is strongly dependent on the pore size, heating rate, and sintering temperature. Eu3+ ions are localized in particles growing in the pores during the sintering.