Transparent SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ glass-ceramics with significant mechanoluminescence

Transparent SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ glass-ceramics with significant mechanoluminescence (ML) have been prepared by the melt quenching method. Phase composition and crystal morphology of the glass-ceramics have been studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests indicate that SrAl2O4 crystals in the glass matrix have an oriented growth characteristic influenced by the doping Dy3+ ions. Meanwhile, more Dy3+ ions doping results in refined grain structures and a more ordered arrangement of crystals. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show that as the concentration of Dy3+ ions increases, the luminescence intensity of the glass-ceramics decreases, but long persistent luminescence (LPL) enhances. The emission peaks at 522 nm attributed to 4 f65d1→4 f7 transitions, arise from the combined luminescence effect of Eu2+ ions in both crystal and glass phases. Further investigation indicates that the as-prepared glass-ceramics exhibit significant mechanoluminescence (ML), which can last for a relatively long duration.