In situ generation of Eu2+ in glass-forming melts

We report on the efficacy of in situ reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ in a fluorid e melt by a variety of chemical reductants and by bulk electrochemical redu ction. The Eu2+ content of the resultant glasses was determined by a combin ation of electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility measur ements. Addition of LM, or use of a hydrogen atmosphere, produced near-comp lete reduction, whilst the electrochemical technique produced approximately 30% conversion. None of the fluorozirconate glasses luminesced from Eu2+ i ons, although a fluoroaluminate glass made using the LiH reduction techniqu e did luminesce. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.