Effect of Ga3+ ions substitution on the garnet phase stability and photoluminescence properties of GLAGG: Ce solid solutions prepared via sol-gel method

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry 2022-11, Vol.315, p.123460, Article 123460
• Main Authors: Zaidi, L., Boukerika, A., Benharrat, L., Hammoum, K., Selmi, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ga3+ content; Garnet; Luminescence; Phase stability; Sol-gel
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2022.123460

In the present work, Ce3+ activated gadolinium lutetium aluminium gallium garnet (GLAGG) solid solutions with chemical formula Gd2.67Lu0.3Al5-xGaxO12: Ce0.03 (x ​= ​0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) have been successfully synthesized using the sol-gel method. The samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy in order to investigate the effect of Ga3+ substitution on the garnet phase stability, morphology and luminescence properties. The XRD analysis revealed that the garnet phase is very sensitive to Ga3+ content. When x ​= ​0 and 0.25, the garnet structure is the predominant phase with the presence of a secondary perovskite phase (GAP). The percentage of GAP phase decreased from 21.2% to 6.2% when Ga3+content increased from x ​= ​0 to x ​= ​0.25. A more stable garnet phase was obtained for solid solutions prepared with x ​≥ ​0.5. FESEM micrographs showed that all samples have porous plates-like morphology. All solid solutions showed green-yellow emission with higher emission observed for the sample prepared with x ​= ​0.5. The increase in Ga3+ content induced a blue shift in the emission band of 5d1 level and a red shift in the 5d2 level. The stable and pure garnet phase with high emission performance was obtained for the solid solution produced with x ​= ​0.5. [Display omitted] •Gd2.67Lu0.3Al5-xGaxO12:Ce0.03 samples were synthesized via sol-gel method.•The effect of Ga3+ content on garnet phase and luminescence properties were investigated.•Stable and pure garnet phase was obtained for samples prepared with x ​≥ ​0.5.•Porous plate-like morphology was observed for all samples.•High emission performance was obtained for the stable samples produced with x ​= ​0.5.