The study investigates the structural and luminescent properties of cerium- and gadolinium-doped borate glasses and glass-ceramics modified with lithium oxide, with particular emphasis on their sensitivity to neutron radiation. The effect of the Gd2O3/Li2O ratio on the borate network structure and thermal stability was analyzed using FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD, and differential thermal analysis (DTA), respectively. Incorporation of Gd2O3 was found to significantly alter the glass structure by increasing the proportion of tetrahedral [BO4] units at the expense of trigonal [BO3] units, thereby enhancing the polymerization of the glass network. Thermoluminescence (TL) measurements under beta and neutron irradiation revealed a marked dependence of the luminescent response on the Gd2O3 concentration. Among the tested materials, the gadolinium-free ceramic exhibited the highest luminescent output, suggesting that the absence of Gd2O3 promotes the formation of efficient luminescent centers during crystallization. Following controlled crystallization, the glass-ceramics demonstrated a significant enhancement in thermoluminescence and infrared-stimulated luminescence (IRSL) intensities, particularly for the Gd-free Li21Gd0 sample annealed at 750 degrees C. The annealing process resulted in approximately a 630-fold increase in TL intensity compared to the raw glass. It was further observed that the glass-ceramics possess enhanced luminescent properties compared to the base glass. For the glass-ceramics, the TL response after neutron irradiation was observed in the range of 150-300 degrees C. Neutron irradiation tests confirmed the neutron sensitivity of the glass-ceramics, even when raw materials with natural isotopic abundance were employed.

Tektites provide distinctive evidence of the intricate mechanics involved in impact processes, even though the exact mechanisms behind their formation are still not fully understood. To expand knowledge about the types and differentiation of tektites, we conducted comparative studies of the texture, chemical composition, structure, and luminescent properties of tektites from Central Europe and China. We studied two Moldavites and Indochinite using XRD, FT-IR, microscope with element analysis (LIBS) and 29Si MAS-NMR. Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves were measured after beta radiation up to 200 Gy. The analysis focuses on differences in texture, chemical composition, and structure. The structural studies show the presence of water (-OH groups) in Indochinite and its lack in Moldavites. The higher content of silica in Indochinite induces the partial coordination Q4 units which are not obserwed for Moldavite.

This study examines the impact of varying the content of lanthanum oxide and lanthanum fluoride on the formation of glass-ceramics and their effect on the thermal stability of Na-aluminosilicate glasses, depending on the type and concentration of the raw material used. The aim of this study is to obtain a fluoride crystalline phase in the glassy matrix. Such a phase, due to its low phonon energy, increases the probability of radiative transitions (decay) of optically active lanthanide dopants, thereby enhancing luminescence. The scope of the work included the preparation of two glass series with varying amounts of La2O3 and LaF3 to determine the glass-forming range and to identify the characteristic temperatures of the glasses using Differential Thermal Analysis. It was found that increasing the La2O3 content above 10 mol% in this glass leads to exceeding the target melting temperature (1400 °C) of the glass batch. In contrast, the introduction of 10 mol% LaF3 prevents the formation of homogeneous glass. Based on these results, a controlled crystallization process was designed, and the resulting crystalline phases were identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the base glass, two crystalline phases were identified: Na2O·Al2O3·SiO2 and Na2SiO3. For the La-oxide series, the crystallization of NaAlSiO4 and La2SiO5 was confirmed. In the case of the La-fluoride series, the formation of LaF3 was observed. It was found that by introducing an appropriate amount of LaF3 (7.5 mol%) into the aluminosilicate network, it is possible to obtain a glass suitable for controlled crystallization, leading to the formation of a low-phonon LaF3 phase.

The spectroscopic properties of lead-silicate glass containing $2 \mathrm{~mol}_{2} \mathrm{MoO}_{3}$ and rare earth dopants were investigated in detail. Three glass series were prepared, varying the concentrations of $\mathrm{Pr}, \mathrm{Nd}$, and Er from 0.5 to $1.5 \mathrm{~mol} \%$ each. The addition of MoO 3 was found to have a significant impact on the optical properties of the glass, manifesting in an elevation of the refractive index and a reduction in dispersion [1, 2]. The influence of molybdenum ions and rare earth dopants was examined through absorption, excitation, and luminescence spectra analyses [3]. Luminescence decay times were measured under both ambient conditions and within a temperature range spanning from 10 K to 350 K. Preliminary luminescence data for the glasses at room temperature are illustrated in Fig. 1.

The organically modified silicate matrix (ORMOSIL) is the most commonly used solution for immobilization of the optically active organic compounds. The materials are characterized by much higher thermal and chemical resistance. The aim of the study was to obtain the hybrid material (in the form of thin films and gels) using the sol-gel method with covalently bound newly synthesized d-block metal phthalocyanine. The hybrid layers were prepared using the dip-coating technique. A series of the sol-gel syntheses based on various types of silicate matrix modifiers (trialkoxysilanes) and their molar ratios were prepared to obtain a photostable and durable material. The optical properties of phthalocyanine (fluorescence) with different concentration in the hybrid glass matrix were studied. Thermoluminescence of the hybrid materials were analyzed. Finally, tests of material stability under the exposure of UV at room temperature and additional under high-energy radiation were carried out with emission measurement in the ultraviolet range and in the temperature range 298-573K.

Biomaterials development is currently the main active research area in the field of bone tissue engineering. In the present study, the bioactive glasses with different chemical compositions (mol %) of zinc oxide, silica, calcium oxide, sodium oxide, and phosphates were synthesized by the melt-quench technique. We studied the thermal, physical, and other structural characteristics of the glasses to know the structural stability and potentiality to use as implant material. The in-vitro studies were performed to test the apatite forming ability and biocompatible nature of the prepared bioglass samples by immersing in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution with ion concentrations nearly equal to those in human blood plasma (pH =7.4 at 37 degrees C). All glass samples showed the formation of a clear layer of hydroxyapatite (HAP) on their surfaces after 14, and 21 days of immersion in SBF and the crystallization phases, morphology and functional groups of the hydroxyapatite layer (HAP) were confirmed by the characterizations of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses respectively. The antimicrobial studies of the silica containing phosphate bioglasses against Escherichia coli (E. coli), carried out for 24 h confirmed their potential antibacterial activity. The overall obtained results of the as developed silica containing phosphate bioglasses with enhanced properties suggested to use as potential bone regenerative implant material in the field of biomedicine.

Methods of coatingCoating preparation, which are commonly applied to phthalocyaninesPhthalocyanines and porphyrinsPorphyrins formation on the glassGlass substratesSubstrate are discussed. Three most popular methods: Langmuir–Blodgett, physical vapor depositionPhysical Vapor Deposition (PVD), and sol–gelSol-gel are described. Advantages and disadvantages of the methods are reported. Characteristics of the double layerLayer materials based on metallophthalocyanines or metalloporphyrinsMetalloporphyrins and the semiconductorSemiconductor inorganicInorganic oxideOxides applied on glassGlass are presented. The opticalOptical and electrical propertiesElectrical properties of the coatingsCoating are summarized in the chapter. Finally, the applicationApplications of phthalocyaninesPhthalocyanines and porphyrinsPorphyrins in organic light emitting diodesOrganic light emitting diode (OLED’s) and solar cellsSolar cell are presented.

YAlO3 crystals doped with different concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 1.0 at.%) of P-r3+ ions were studied in this work. The crystals were grown from the melt by a micro-pulling-down (MPD) method. Luminescence and energy-storage properties of YAlO3:Pr crystals were studied using cathodoluminescence (CL), as well as thermolumi-nescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). Instead of a conventional optical illumination with blue LEDs, infrared light was used for optical stimulation (IRSL). For the YAlO3:Pr crystals both TL glow-curves and IRSL decay curves were extensively analyzed. Both d-f transitions in UV range and f-f transitions in the visible range of Pr3+ ions were observed including radiative transitions from P-3(j) (j = 0,1,2) to F-3(2,3,4) and H-3(4,5,6) levels. The highest CL signal was measured for the lowest Pr3+ concentration of 0.05 mol% and a strong lumi-nescence quenching was observed for the increase in the Pr3+ content. For the increasing dose of radiation, the intensity of the main TSL glow-peak at around 170-200 degrees C shows a linear behavior, regardless of the applied dopant concentration. Due to the highest TL and IRSL radio-sensitivity and stability in time after the irradiation, the YAlO3:Pr (0.05 mol%) perovskite seems most promising material for radiation measurement applications.

Architectural soda-lime silicate glass (SLS) is increasingly taking on complex shapes that require more detailed numerical analysis. Glass modeling is a thoroughly described topic with validated constitutive models. However, these models require a number of precise material parameters for SLS glass, and these are very sensitive to changes in glass composition. The currently available information is based on SLS glass tested in the late 1990s. As a result, most current publications are based on the above data. The object of this work was to analyze the available sources and update the information on selected key parameters for modeling. Using the currently utilized SLS glass in construction, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), glass transition temperature, and the Young's modulus have been experimentally investigated. The updated material parameters will allow for more accurate modeling of the SLS glass currently used in construction, and in consequence will make the prototyping process for glass with complex geometries possible to be transferred from the production stage to the design stage, resulting in shorter production times.

The series of sol-gel synthesis was prepared using different organic and inorganic acids and bases, and with different polarity of solvents, and with various concentration of the luminophore to immobilize zinc phthalocyanine to the matrix. Immobilization was achieved by coordination of zinc phthalocyanine in the axial position with isonicotinamide substituted by alkoxysilane. By using siloxane precursors, matrices of variable hydrophilicity were obtained by the sol-gel method in order to select the optimal environment for phthalocyanine immobilization. The optical properties of phthalocyanine (fluorescence and thermoluminescence) of hybrid materials were investigated. Finally, tests of material photostability under the influence of high-energy radiation were carried out with emission measurement in the ultraviolet and visible range. The aim of this study was to optimize the conditions for obtaining hybrid material containing phthalocyanine for potential application in optoelectronic systems, such as, photodiodes.

The set of six fluorophosphate glasses were obtained to measure the effect of composition on their thermal and luminescence properties. It was found that the phosphate network can accept much more lithium fluoride as compared to silica and borate glasses. The differential thermal analysis study shows a significant increase of thermal stability and decrease of the crystallization with higher content of lithium fluoride. Simultaneously, a gradual increase in the intensity of thermoluminescence was observed as well as linearity of the thermolumi-nescence response. We correlated the observed effects with the structural changes based on fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.

The chapter is an introduction to the nature of phthalocyaninesPhthalocyanines as materials for glass coatingsGlass coatings. Data of the close analogues porphyrinsPorphyrins is reported. The most widely used synthesis methodsSynthesis methods of porphyrinsPorphyrins and phthalocyaninesPhthalocyanines are discussed. The spectroscopic characteristic of the compoundsCompound is provided based on UV-ViSUV-ViS and photoluminescence studies. The nonlinear opticalOptical and electric propertiesProperties of various metalMetal-phthalocyaninesPhthalocyanines are discussed. Current and future applicationsApplications of the phthalocyaninesPhthalocyanines are presented. This chapter is an introduction to the second one entitled “PhthalocyaninePhthalocyanines and porphyrinPorphyrins filmsFilm on glassGlass substrateSubstrate—processing, propertiesProperties, and applicationsApplications” where characterizations of hybrid materials are described in detail.

Germanium containing borate-based glass samples with the chemical formula (80–x)GeO2–10Sb2O3–10Na2O+xB2O3, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 40 mol% were fabricated for the generation of prominent infrared lasers. The detailed structural and physical properties of the synthesized glass samples were explored in order to know the possible compatibility for the optical applications. In addition to B2O3, the density, thermal stabilities were observed to decrease, and the molar volume increased. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed the glassy nature of the prepared samples. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis reported the presence of various functional groups in the glass network. Differential thermal (DTA) analysis determines the characteristic temperatures of prepared glasses. Raman scattering data show the existence of Ge–O–Ge, Sb–O–Ge and Sb–O–B bonds in the glass structure. The overall results suggested the alteration of glass matrix structure with the borate content in the germanium antimonate network.

Hybrid materials based on zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and modified silica glass matrix (Organically Modified Silicate; ORMOSIL) were synthesized by the sol–gel method using protic solvents (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol) and aprotic solvents (N,N-dimethylformamide; DMF, tetrahydrofuran, (THF); dichloromethane (DMC)) and non-polar 1,4-dioxane. The effect of sol–gel route with NaOH or NH4OH addition (a single stage process) and acid-alkaline environment based on HCl-NaOH (a two-stage process) was analyzed over time. ZnPc stability in the ORMOSIL sols was monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The highest stability of zinc phthalocyanine in the glass was obtained for synthesis with isopropanol. The lowest stability of ZnPc is observed when the non-polar and DMF are used as a solvent for the synthesis. The thermal stability of the materials was studied by TG-DSC methods. Additional influence of organic base such as pyridine was analyzed. Dissolution of ZnPc in the pyridine causes cessation of degradation for two months. Thermoluminescence (TL) study showed significant impact of the solvent on intensity of the ZnPc signal in the UV range.

In this paper BaO-B2O3-SiO2 glass and glass-ceramics doped with cerium oxide are reported. The effect of SiO2 content on the efficiency of the thermoluminescence process was investigated. Our study revealed that up to 20 mol% SiO2 no phase separation appears due to the high content of Ba and Ce modifiers. The results confirm that the gradual introduction of SiO2 into the borate glass lowers the efficiency of the luminescence processes. However, it enhances the thermal stability and reduces Delta H of crystallization. As a result, we have obtained glass-ceramics which thermoluminescence (TL) efficiency is comparable with commercial crystalline materials. The optical properties of barium cerium borate glasses (BaCeB) were improved by simultaneously SiO2 addition and process of heat treatment. Finally, our glass-ceramics has promising potential as an active material for thermoluminescent detectors.

Hybrid materials, i.e., the organically modified silicates (ORMOSIL) based on zincphthalocyanine (ZnPc) and silica glass matrix were synthesized by the sol-gel method using protic solvents (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol) and aprotic solvent (N,N-dimethylformamide; DMF). The effect of an alkaline environment with NaOH addition (a single-stage process) and acid–alkaline environment with CH3COOH-NH4OH and HCl-NaOH (a two-stage process) was analyzed. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to study the stability of ZnPc in the sol. The highest stability of zinc phthalocyanine in the glass was obtained for synthesis with isopropanol in the presence of the alkaline catalyst. The lowest stability of ZnPc was observed when the aprotic solvent was used. The structure and optical properties of the gels were studied by SEM, FTIR, and XRD techniques and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL), respectively. The thermal stability of the materials was analyzed by TG-DSC methods.

Different types of ceramics and glass have been extensively investigated due to their application in brachytherapy, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine diagnosis, radioisotope power systems, radiation processing of food, geological and archaeological dating methods. This review collects the newest experimental results on the thermoluminescent (TL) properties of crystalline and glassy materials. The comparison of the physico-chemical properties shows that glassy materials could be a promising alternative for dosimetry purposes. Furthermore, the controlled process of crystallization can enhance the thermoluminescent properties of glasses. On the other hand, the article presents information on the ranges of the linear response to the dose of ionizing radiation and on the temperature positions of the thermoluminescent peaks depending on the doping concentration with rare-earth elements for crystalline and glassy materials. Additionally, the stability of dosimetric information storage (fading) and the optimal concentration of admixtures that cause the highest thermoluminescent response for a given type of the material are characterized. The influence of modifiers addition, i.e., rare-earth elements on the spectral properties of borate and phosphate glasses is described.

B2O3 - phthalocyanine composites (B2O3@MPc) were synthesized at 410 degrees C by sintering boron trioxide doped with base metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) and/or its complexes of Mg, Zn, Gd (Pc = C32H16N8, phthalocyanine ligand, M = metal ion). The glassy products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, EDS) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) which confirmed the incorporation of the respective phthalocyanines into the amorphous borate matrix. FTIR results suggested a possible impact of the phthalocyanine dopants on the final solid structure of the glassy matrix. The UV-excited composites emitted a pronounced blue phosphorescence featured by a two-step quenching process and lifetimes of 28 and 670 ms. Optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) tests proved excellent luminescence properties revealed by the samples including H2Pc and GdPc2 dopants. Reversible photoconductivity of the composites was confirmed by impedance spectroscopy measurements at current frequencies of 10(3) and 10(2) Hz and UV irradiation. The best results exhibited B2O3@GdPc2 featuring an impedance modulus decrease of about 2 orders of magnitude at 10(2) Hz compared to the other composites.

This research paper emphasized on application of Judd-Ofelt's (JO) theory for low doped erbium (0.2 mol%) halogeno-antimonate based glasses with molar composition (90 –x) Sb2O3 - x ZnBr2 - 10 NaCl (where x = 10, 20, 30 and 40 mol%). 80 Sb2O3 – 9.8 ZnBr2 - 10 NaCl - 0.2 Er2O3 glass sample has low phonon energy and high refractive index is a potential candidate for luminescence applications. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements show good the thermal stability of the prepared glass samples and on the other hand density, expansion coefficient and elastic moduli were reported. Judd-Ofelt's (JO) parameter intensities Ω2 = 3.27 × 10−20 cm2, Ω4 = 1.24 × 10−20 cm2 and Ω6 = 1.88 × 10−20 cm2 were found and these were compared with the literature. Radiative parameters such as spontaneous emission rate, branching ratio and lifetime were calculated. We focused on a high branching ratio radiative transitions 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 (β = 0.94) and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 (β = 0.901). The overlap between absorption and emission bands is partial and stokes type shifts were presented. The gain curves were determined after calculation of absorption and stimulated emission cross sections. The infrared transmission curve of the glass matrix was marked extrinsic absorption bands SiO and hydroxyl OH possessed high vibration energy played quenching effect for photoluminescence.

On the example of oxyfluoride glass and glass-ceramics doped with erbium ions we show how the process of phase transformation affects the maximum phonon energy value. Our analysis is based on temperature dependence of luminescence and on stationary solutions of kinetic equations describing the simplest possible model of the luminescence centrum and its dependence on temperature. It appears that this threelevel model describes properly not only primary luminescence at similar to 1534 nm but also upconverted emissions at 519 nm, 538 nm and 649 nm, when the excitation is at similar to 980 nm. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.