Tb3+-Yb3+ doped glass ceramics containing NaBi(MoO4)2: preparation and upconversion luminescence

A series of Tb3+-Yb3+ co-doped transparent glass ceramics (GCs) containing NaBi(MoO4)(2) were synthesized. Comparison of their X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns with standard cards showed that the crystal phase in the glass ceramics was NaBi(MoO4)(2). Optimal heat-treatment conditions for the GCs were obtained through differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry (DSC-TG), light transmittance and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. At 980 nm, the upconversion luminescence intensity of the GCs doped with 0.8%Tb3+-0.6%Yb3+ was the strongest. Based on an increase in emission intensity with an increase in pump power, the mechanism of upconversion luminescence was studied. The color purity was calculated using upconversion emission spectra. The final results showed that the GCs have latent development and utilization value in the solar-energy-spectrum conversion of solar cells and optoelectronic communication devices.