Synthesis, characterization, EPR, photo and thermoluminescence properties of YAlO3:Ni2+ nanophosphors

• Published in: Journal of luminescence 2013-03, Vol.135, p.105-112
• Main Authors: Premkumar, H.B., Sunitha, D.V., Nagabhushana, H., Sharma, S.C., Nagabhushana, B.M., Shivakumara, C., Rao, J.L., Chakradhar, R.P.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminates; Combustion; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Crystallites; Electron paramagnetic resonance; Electron paramagnetic resonance and relaxation; EPR; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic resonances and relaxations in condensed matter, mössbauer effect; Nanostructure; Ni2; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Other luminescence and radiative recombination; Other solid inorganic materials; Phosphor; Photoluminescence; Physics; Scanning electron microscopy; Thermoluminescence; X-ray diffraction; YAlO3; Yttrium
• ISSN: 0022-2313; 1872-7883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2012.09.004

YAlO3:Ni2+ (0.1mol%) doped nanophosphor was synthesised by a low temperature solution combustion method. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) confirms the orthorhombic phase of yttrium aluminate (YAlO3) along with traces of Y3Al5O12. Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the powder particles appears to be spherical in shape with large agglomeration. The average crystallite sizes appeared to be in the range 45–90nm and the same was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Williamson–Hall (W–H) plots. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and photoluminescence (PL) studies reveal that Ni2+ ions are in octahedral coordination. Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve consists of two peaks with the main peak at ∼224°C and a shouldered peak at 285°C was recorded in the range 0.2–15kGy γ-irradiated samples. The TL intensity was found to be increasing linearly for 224°C and 285°C peaks up to 1kGy and thereafter it shows sub-linear (up to 8kGy) and saturation behavior. The trap parameters namely activation energy (E), order of kinetics (b), frequency factor (s) at different γ-doses were determined using Chens glow peak shape and Luschiks methods then the results are discussed in detail. Simple glow peak structure, the 224°C peak in YAlO3:Ni2+ nanophosphor can be used in personal dosimetry. ► YAlO3:Ni2+ nanoparticles were prepared by simple, inexpensive combustion method. ► EPR, TL properties were reported. ► TL glow peak intensity with γ-dose is linear in lower γ-dosages. ► Kinetic trap parameters at different γ doses were reported. ► Simple glow curve, low fading makes it useful for dosimeter applications.