Effect of Ga3+ and Gd3+ ions substitution on the structural and optical properties of Ce3+‐doped yttrium aluminium garnet phosphor nanopowders

The structural and optical properties of commercially obtained Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ phosphor were investigated by replacing Al³⁺ with Ga³⁺ and Y³⁺ with Gd³⁺ in the Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ structure to form Y₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ and (Y,Gd)₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) results showed slight 2‐theta peak shifts to lower angles when Ga³⁺ was used and to higher angles when Gd³⁺ was used, with respect to peaks from Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ and JCPDS card no. 73–1370. This could be attributed to induced crystal‐field effects due to the different ionic sizes of Ga³⁺ and Gd³⁺ compared with Al³⁺ and Y³⁺. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed broad excitation from 350 to 550 nm with a maximum at 472 nm, and broad emission bands from 500 to 650 nm, centred at 578 nm for Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ arising from the 5d → 4f transition of Ce³⁺. PL revealed a blue shift for Ga³⁺ substitution and a red shift for Gd³⁺ substitution. UV–Vis showed two absorption peaks at 357 and 457 nm for Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺, with peaks shifting to 432 nm for Ga³⁺ and 460 nm for Gd³⁺ substitutions. Changes in the trap levels or in the depth and number of traps due to Ce³⁺ were analysed using thermoluminescence (TL) spectroscopy. This revealed the existence of shallow and deep traps. It was observed that Ga³⁺ substitution contributes to the shallowest traps at 74 °C and fewer deep traps at 163 °C, followed by Gd³⁺ with shallow traps at 87 °C and deep traps at 146 °C. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermoluminescence and photoluminescence studies on γ‐ray‐irradiated Ce3+,Tb3+‐doped potassium chloride single crystals

Single crystals of KCl doped with Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ were grown using the Bridgeman–Stockbarger technique. Thermoluminescence (TL), optical absorption, photoluminescence (PL), photo‐stimulated luminescence (PSL), and thermal‐stimulated luminescence (TSL) properties were studied after γ‐ray irradiation at room temperature. The glow curve of the γ‐ray‐irradiated crystal exhibits three peaks at 420, 470 and 525 K. F‐Light bleaching (560 nm) leads to a drastic change in the TL glow curve. The optical absorption measurements indicate that F‐ and V‐centres are formed in the crystal during γ‐ray irradiation. It was attempted to incorporate a broad band of cerium activator into the narrow band of terbium in the KCl host without a reduction in the emission intensity. Cerium co‐doped KCl:Tb crystals showed broad band emission due to the d–f transition of cerium and a reduction in the intensity of the emission peak due to ⁵D₃–⁷F_j (j = 3, 4) transition of terbium, when excited at 330 nm. These results support that energy transfer occurs from cerium to terbium in the KCl host. Co‐doping Ce³⁺ ions greatly intensified the excitation peak at 339 nm for the emission at 400 nm of Tb³⁺. The emission due to Tb³⁺ ions was confirmed by PSL and TSL spectra. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photoluminescence properties and energy transfer in Ce3+/Dy3+ co‐doped Sr3MgSi2O8 phosphors for potential application in ultraviolet white light‐emitting diodes

Sr₃MgSi₂O₈:Ce³⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors were prepared by a solid‐state reaction technique and the photoluminescence properties were investigated. The emission spectra show not only a band due to Ce³⁺ ions (403 nm) but also as a band due to Dy³⁺ ions (480, 575 nm) (UV light excitation). The photoluminescence properties reveal that effective energy transfer occurs in Ce³⁺/Dy³⁺ co‐doped Sr₃MgSi₂O₈ phosphors, and the co‐doping of Ce³⁺ could enhance the emission intensity of Dy³⁺ to a certain extent by transferring its energy to Dy³⁺. The Ce³⁺/Dy³⁺ energy transfer was investigated by emission/excitation spectra, and photoluminescence decay behaviors. In Sr_2.94MgSi₂O₈:0.01Ce³⁺, 0.05Dy³⁺ phosphors, the fluorescence lifetime of Dy³⁺ (from 3.35 to 27.59 ns) is increased whereas that of Ce³⁺ is greatly decreased (from 43.59 to 13.55 ns), and this provides indirect evidence of the Ce³⁺ to Dy³⁺ energy transfer. The varied emitted color of Sr₃MgSi₂O₈:Ce³⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors from blue to white were achieved by altering the concentration ratio of Ce³⁺ and Dy³⁺. These results indicate Sr₃MgSi₂O₈:Ce³⁺, Dy³⁺ may be as a candidate phosphor for white light‐emitting diodes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Luminescence properties of Ce3+ in orthosilicate oxyapatite NaY9(SiO4)6O2

Ce³⁺‐doped orthosilicate oxyapatite NaY₉(SiO₄)₆O₂ phosphors NaY_9–x(SiO₄)₆O₂:xCe³⁺ were prepared by a conventional high‐temperature solid‐state reaction method, and their spectroscopic characteristics were systematically investigated. The occupancies of Ce³⁺ ions at two different sites (Wyckoff 6 h and 4f sites) in NaY₉(SiO₄)₆O₂ were determined. The influence of doping concentration on the emission intensity of Ce³⁺ was investigated and the critical distance Rc was estimated in terms of the concentration quenching data.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and tunable photoluminescence study of gold nanoparticles embedded in PVA films

This article reports the systematic photoluminescence study of the various contents of gold nanocomposites in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films. The variations in the gold content in PVA film were 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt%. All the samples were excited at two selected wavelengths; those are at 400 nm and 532 nm. On exciting the gold-PVA nanocomposite films at 400 nm the photoluminescence was observed in the region of 430–500 nm in comparison to pure PVA films that show an emission at 400 nm. However, on exciting the gold-PVA nanocomposites at 532 nm, the emission was observed at 560–650 nm with a long tail till 700 nm that is unlike the pure PVA films that do not show any emission peak in this region. This suggests that emission between 430 and 500 nm regions is due to the coordination of PVA with gold nanoparticles because PVA has an emission at 400 nm. However, the emission peak between 560 and 650 nm is entirely due to the gold nanocomposite particle. The peak also shows a smaller red-shift that is usually with the increasing nanoparticles size with the increasing content in the PVA films. The formation of gold nanoparticles was justified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis which is further supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel Na15(SO4)5F4Cl:Ce3+ halosulfate phosphors

A series of Na₁₅(SO₄)₅F₄Cl phosphors doped with Ce³⁺ ions was prepared using the wet chemical method. X‐Ray diffraction studies were used to determine their phase formation and purity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy effectively identified the chemical bonds present in the molecule. The photoluminescence properties of the as‐prepared phosphors were investigated and the Ce³⁺ ions in these hosts were found to give broadband emission in the UV range. For the thermoluminescence study, phosphors were irradiated with a 5 Gy dose of γ‐rays from a ⁶⁰Co source. Chen’s half‐width method was employed to calculate the trapping parameters from the thermoluminescence glow curve. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Luminescence and energy transfer in Ce3+, Mn2+‐doped K2AEP2O7 (AE = Ca,Sr) phosphor

Pyrophosphates K₂AEP₂O₇ (AE = Ca, Sr) prepared by the classical solid‐state technique and activated with Ce³⁺ are described. Intense emission was observed in K₂AEP₂O₇ (AE = Ca, Sr). The effect of Mn²⁺ co‐doping was studied. The broad emission peak of Mn²⁺ was observed at 534 nm in K₂SrP₂O₇:Ce³⁺ and at 539 nm in K₂CaP₂O₇:Ce³⁺, Mn²⁺. Mn²⁺ emission was greatly enhanced by addition of the sensitizer Ce³⁺ due to efficient energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Mn²⁺. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Persistent luminescence of CaMgSi2O6:Eu2+,Dy3+ and CaMgSi2O6:Eu2+,Ce3+ phosphors prepared using the solid‐state reaction method

CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ and CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphors were synthesized using the solid‐state reaction method. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses were used to characterize the phosphors. The XRD results revealed that the synthesized CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ and CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphors were crystalline and are assigned to the monoclinic structure with a space group C2/c. The calculated crystal sizes of CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ and CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphors with a main (221) diffraction peak were 44.87 and 53.51 nm, respectively. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the proper preparation of the sample. The PL emission spectra of CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ and CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphors have a broad band peak at 444.5 and 466 nm, respectively, which is due to electronic transition from 4f⁶5d¹ to 4f⁷. The afterglow results indicate that the CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ phosphor has better persistence luminescence than the CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphor. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optical,emission, and excitation dynamics of Eu3+-doped bismuth-based phosphate glass for visible display laser applications

Eu³⁺-doped-bismuth-based phosphate glasses with chemical equation (60 − x)P₂O₅–20Bi₂O₃−10Na₂CO₃–10SrF₂–xEu₂O₃ (PBNSEu), (where x = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 mol%) were fabricated using the melt-quenching method. Obtain X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were used to characterize the structure of the prepared PBNSEu glass. The J–O (Judd–Ofelt) intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄) were estimated using photoluminescence emission spectra. When excited with a xenon lamp at λ_exc = 394 nm, the most intense red-emission transition occurred at ~612 nm (⁵D₀→⁷F₂). J–O intensity parameters were used to calculate radiative properties, whereas the radiative branching ratio (β_R), radiative transition probability (A_R), radiative lifetime (τ_R), and total radiative transition rate (A_τ) were calculated for the transitions ⁵D₀→⁷F_J (where J = 0–4) and were obtained in the emission spectra for europium ion-doped in the current glass. Using the CIE1931 chromaticity coordinates axes, the colours of various concentrations of Eu³⁺ ion-doped PBNS glass were evaluated using the emission spectra. Temperature-dependent luminescence spectra were recorded for the optimized PBNSEu20 glass to calculate the activation energy. These results strongly suggested red components in w-LEDs and visible display laser applications.     

Effect of (Ce,Dy) co-doping on the microstructural,optical, and photoluminescence characteristics of solution combustion synthesized ZnO nanoparticles

Solution combustion synthesized ZnO nanoparticles that were Ce doped, Dy doped or co-doped at varying dopant concentrations were characterized for their microstructural, optical, and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics. The synthesized nanoparticles matched the standard hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. The lattice fringes in the high-resolution transmission electron micrographs and the bright spotty rings in the selected area electron diffraction patterns authenticated the high crystallinity of the nanoparticles. The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy resolved the energy bandgap for the undoped ZnO as 3.18 eV, which decreased upon doping and co-doping. A sharp narrow ultraviolet emission peak at ~398 nm that originated from excitonic recombination was found in the PL spectra of the nanoparticles. The visible emission peaks in the PL spectra were assigned to the f–d and f–f electron transitions of Ce³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions, respectively, in addition to different native defects in ZnO. The visible emissions (blue, yellow, and red) improved upon (Ce, Dy) co-doping, therefore (Ce, Dy) co-doped ZnO nanoparticles can be considered a promising luminescent material for the development of energy-saving light sources.     

Probing the optical properties and luminescence mechanism of a UV‐emitting SrBPO5:Ce3+ phosphor

Ce‐doped (1 × 10^?5 to 3.0 mol%) SrBPO₅ phosphors were synthesized using a conventional solid‐state reaction route at 1273 K in an air atmosphere. Phase and morphology of the samples were studied from powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs, respectively. The band gap energies of the pure and Ce‐doped SrBPO₅ phosphors were calculated from the recorded diffuse reflectance spectra. Photoluminescence (PL) and Ce³⁺ lifetime were recorded at 300 and 77 K. Photoluminescence lifetime measurements revealed two‐lifetime values for Ce³⁺ at both 300 K (17 and 36 nsec) and 77 K (12 and 30 nsec), suggesting the presence of two different environments around Ce³⁺. Time‐resolved emission spectroscopy (TRES) studies confirmed the presence of Ce³⁺ in two different environments. In addition, SrBPO₅:Ce exhibited intense UV emission, signifying its possible use as an efficient sensitizer for solid‐state lighting applications. The effect of γ‐irradiation on PL was also determined. Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) glow curves of the γ‐irradiated phosphor, along with trap parameters, dose–response, and the possible TSL mechanism were also investigated. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy was carried out to probe defects present in undoped and Ce‐doped SrBPO₅.     

Crystal structure and luminescence properties of the blue‐green‐emitting Ba9(Lu,Y)2Si6O24:Ce3+ phosphor

Samples of the Ba₉(Lu_2‐xY_x)Si₆O₂₄:Ce³⁺ (x = 0–2) blue‐green phosphors were synthesized by solid‐state reactions. All the samples exhibited a rhombohedral crystal structure. As the Y³⁺ concentration increased, the diffraction peaks shifted to the small angle region and the lattice parameters increased due to the larger ionic radius of Y³⁺ (r = 0.900 Å) compared with that of Lu³⁺ (r = 0.861 Å). Under 400 nm excitation, samples exhibited strong blue‐green emissions around 490 nm. The emission bands had a slight blue shift that resulted from weak crystal‐field splitting with increasing Y³⁺ concentration. Luminescence intensity and quantum efficiency (QE) decreased with increasing Y³⁺ concentration. The internal QE decreased from 74 to 50% and the external QE decreased from 50 to 34% as x increased from 0 to 2. The thermal stability of the Lu series was better than that of the Y‐series. The excitation band peak around 400 nm matched well with the emission light from the efficient near‐ultraviolet (NUV) chip. These results indicate promising applications for these NUV‐based white light‐emitting diodes.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of novel BaGd2O4:Eu3+ scintillating phosphor

BaGd_2‐xO₄:xEu³⁺ and Ba_1‐yGd_1.79‐2yEu_0.21Na_3yO₄ phosphors were synthesized at 1300°C in air by conventional solid‐state reaction method. Phosphors were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra and thermoluminescence (TL) spectra. Optimal PL intensity for BaGd_2‐xO₄:xEu³⁺ and Ba_1‐yGd_1.79‐2yEu_0.21Na_3yO₄ phosphors at 276 nm excitation were found to be x = 0.24 and y = 0.125, respectively. The PL intensity of Eu³⁺ emission could only be enhanced by 1.3 times with incorporation of Na⁺ into the BaGd₂O₄ host. Enhanced luminescence was attributed to the flux effect of Na⁺ ions. However, when BaGd₂O₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors were codoped with Na⁺ ions, the induced defects confirmed by TL spectra impaired the emission intensity of Eu³⁺ ions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optical analysis of RE3+ (RE = Pr3+, Er3+ and Nd3+):cadmium lead boro tellurite glasses

This article reports on the optical characterization of Pr³⁺‐, Er³⁺‐ and Nd³⁺‐doped cadmium lead boro tellurite (CLBT) glasses prepared using the melt quenching method. The visible–near infrared (Vis–NIR) absorption spectra of these glasses were analyzed systematically. On measuring the NIR emission spectra of Er³⁺:CLBT glasses, a broad emission band centered at 1536 nm (⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2) was observed, as were three NIR emission bands at 900 nm (⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2), 1069 nm (⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_11/2) and 1338 nm (⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_13/2) from Nd³⁺:CLBT glasses and an NIR emission band at 1334 nm (¹G₄ → ³H₅) from Pr³⁺:CLBT glasses at an excitation wavelength (λ_ex) of 514.5 nm (Ar⁺ laser). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrospinning preparation and photoluminescence properties of Y3Al5O12:Tb3+ nanostructures

Novel nanostructures of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Tb³⁺ (denoted as YAG:Tb³⁺ for short) nanobelts and nanofibers were fabricated by calcination of the respective electrospun PVP/[Y(NO₃)₃ + Tb(NO₃)₃ + Al(NO₃)₃] composite nanobelts and nanofibers. YAG:Tb³⁺ nanostructures are cubic in structure with a space group of I_a3d. The thickness and width of the YAG:7%Tb³⁺ nanobelts are respectively ca. 125 nm and 5.9 ± 0.3 µm, and the diameter of YAG:7%Tb³⁺ nanofibers is 166.0 ± 20 nm (95% confidence level). The YAG:Tb³⁺ nanostructures emit predominantly at 544 nm from the energy levels transition of ⁵D₄ → ⁷ F₅ of Tb³⁺ ions under the excitation of 274‐nm ultraviolet light. It was found that the optimum doping molar concentration of Tb³⁺ ions for YAG:Tb³⁺ nanostructures was 7%. Compared with YAG:7%Tb³⁺ nanofibers, YAG:7%Tb³⁺ nanobelts exhibit a stronger photoluminescence (PL) intensity under the same doping concentration. Commission International de l'Eclairage (CIE) analysis demonstrates that the emitting colors of YAG:Tb³⁺ nanostructures are located in the green region and color‐tuned luminescence can be obtained by changing the doping concentration of Tb³⁺ and morphologies of the nanostructures, which could be applied in the field of optical telecommunication and optoelectronic devices. The possible formation mechanisms of YAG:Tb³⁺ nanobelts and nanofibers are also proposed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Luminescence study of Dy or Ce activated LiCaBO3 phosphor for γ‐ray and C5+ ion beam irradiation

The photoluminescence and thermoluminescence characteristics of rare earths (Dy or Ce) activated LiCaBO₃ phosphors have been studied. Phosphors were synthesized by modified solid state synthesis. The phosphors were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) for structural, morphological and luminescence studies. Dy³⁺ activated LiCaBO₃ shows emission at 486 and 577 nm due to ⁴ F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 and ⁴ F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 transition, respectively, whereas the PL emission spectra of Ce³⁺ activated LiCaBO₃ phosphor shows a broad band peaking at 432 nm, which is due to the transition from 5d level to the ground state of the Ce³⁺ ion. The thermoluminescence study was also carried out for both these phosphors for γ‐ray irradiation and carbon beam irradiation. Linearity was studied for a 0.4–3.1 Rad dose γ‐rays. Linear behaviour over this dose range was observed. Gamma ray‐irradiated phosphors were shown to be negligible fading upon storage. All the samples were also studied for 75 MeV C⁵⁺ ion beam exposure in the range of 3.75 × 10¹² – 7.5 × 10¹³ ion cm^–2 fluence. In addition to this, trapping parameters of all the samples were also calculated using Chen's peak shape method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Systematic study of photoluminescence,lyoluminescence and mechanoluminescence in Ce3+‐ and Eu3+‐activated Li3PO4 phosphors

Li₃PO₄ phosphor was prepared using a modified solid‐state diffusion technique. In this work, photoluminescence, lyoluminescence and mechanoluminescence studies were carried out in a Li₃PO₄ microcrystalline powder doped with different rare earths. In photoluminescence studies, characteristic emission of Ce and Eu was observed. The lyoluminescence glow curves of Li₃PO₄ microcrystals show that lyoluminescence intensity initially increases with time and then decreases exponentially. The decay time consists of two components for all masses. The dependence of decay time, especially the longer component, on mass has been investigated. Experiments on γ‐irradiated crystals have proved that the light emission originates from the recombination of released F‐centres with trapped holes (V₂‐centres) at the sulfuric acid–solid interface. Incorporation of bivalent alkali in solid lithium phosphate leads to an enhancement of lyoluminescence. A possible explanation for the experimental results has been attempted. The phosphor has a mechanoluminescence single glow peak. Mechanoluminescence intensity under various loading conditions was investigated. It is observed that mechanoluminescence intensity increases with increasing impurity concentration and increasing piston impact velocity. The results may be considered as only being of academic interest in solid‐state materials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combustion synthesis and luminescence properties of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+, Tb3+ phosphor.

Eu(2+), Dy(3+) and Tb(3+) co-doped strontium aluminate phosphor with high brightness and long afterglow was synthesized by a combustion method, using urea as a reducer. The properties of SrAl(2)O(4):Eu(2+),Dy(3+),Tb(3+) phosphor with a series of initiating combustion temperatures, urea concentrations and boric acid molar fractions were investigated. The sample at initiating combustion temperature of 600 degrees C exhibited an intense emission peak at 513 nm, in which the phosphor existed as a single-phase monoclinic structure. The experimental results showed that the optimum ratio of urea is 2.0 times higher than theoretical quantities and that the suitable molar fraction of H(3)BO(3) is 0.08. The average particle size of the phosphor was 50-80 nm and its luminescence properties were studied systematically. Compared with SrAl(2)O(4):Eu(2+),Dy(3+) phosphor, the initial luminescence brightness improved from 2.50 candela (cd)/m(2) to 3.55 cd/m(2) and the long afterglow time was prolonged from 1290 s to 2743 s.     

Luminescence properties of Tm3+ ions single‐doped YF3 materials in an unconventional excitation region

According to the spectral distribution of solar radiation at the earth's surface, under the excitation region of 1150 to 1350 nm, the up‐conversion luminescence of Tm³⁺ ions was investigated. The emission bands were matched well with the spectral response region of silicon solar cells, achieved by Tm³⁺ ions single‐doped yttrium fluoride (YF₃) phosphor, which was different from the conventional Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ ion couple co‐doped materials. Additionally, the similar emission bands of Tm³⁺ ions were achieved under excitation in the ultraviolet region. It is expected that via up‐conversion and down‐conversion routes, Tm³⁺‐sensitized materials could convert photons to the desired wavelengths in order to reduce the energy loss of silicon solar cells, thereby enhancing the photovoltaic efficiency.     

Luminescence of Eu3+ ions in hybrid polymer‐inorganic composites based on poly(methyl methacrylate) and zirconia nanoparticles

Spherical nanoparticles of ZrO₂ with 2 and 10 mol% EuO_1.5 up to 20 nm size were prepared by the method of hydrothermal synthesis for luminescent functionalization of the polymer–inorganic nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate). Surface modification of oxide nanoparticles was carried out by 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, dimethoxymethylvinyl silane and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate to provide uniform distribution and to prevent agglomeration of nanosized filler in the polymer matrix. Polymer–inorganic composites were synthesized by in situ free radical polymerization in bulk. Structuring of ZrO₂‐EuO_1.5 nanoparticles in the poly(methyl methacrylate) was studied by very‐small‐angle neutron scattering. According to the results, the dependence of photoluminescent properties of ZrO₂‐EuO_1.5 nanoparticles on the content of lanthanide, the symmetry of the crystal field, surface treatment and the polymer matrix were established. A correlation was shown between Stark splitting in luminescence spectra of ZrO₂‐EuO_1.5 nanoparticles and their phase composition. Using MMT‐assay it was shown that composites based on poly(methyl methacrylate) and ZrO₂‐EuO_1.5 nanoparticles do not have cytotoxic properties, which makes it possible to use them as prosthesis materials with contrasted and luminescent imaging properties.