Synthesis, optical and cathodoluminescent properties of borosilicate glass doped with Eu3

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids 2023-11, Vol.619, p.122558, Article 122558
• Main Authors: Kravets, V.A., Dementeva, E.V., Popova, E.V., Burakov, B.E., Zamoryanskaya, M.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption; Borosilicate glass; Cathodoluminescence; Luminescence; Photoluminescence; Rare earth ions; “R7 / T7” borosilicate glass
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2023.122558

•Glass intensely luminesces in the region of 430; 612 nm.•Glass optically transparent in the visible range.•Glass is not stable when irradiated with an electron beam.•Sodium diffuses out of the electron beam irradiated area. The purpose of this work is development of glasses for radioactive materials encapsulation. Borosilicate-based glass systems “R7/T7” (B2O3-ЅіO2-Al2O3-Na2O-СaO) doped with Eu3+, with various concentrations of activator were studied. The composition of the obtained glasses was investigated using electron-probe microanalysis technique. Optical properties of glasses were investigated using the following methods – cathodoluminescence, photoluminescence and absorption spectra. The range of the optimal activator concentration was determined. Samples of borosilicate glass (B2O3-ЅіO2-Al2O3-Na2O-СaO) doped with varied content of Eu3+ were synthesized and studied using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and optical techniques such as cathodoluminescence (CL), photoluminescence (PL) and light absorption spectroscopy. Glass composition was related to development of nuclear waste form or encapsulation matrix with sufficient resistance to radiation damage. It was observed that electron beam irradiation suppresses intensity of glass cathodoluminescence and this process is correlated with sodium diffusion outside irradiated area at comparable interval of time.