Nd2O3:Gd3+ nanocrystalline phosphor: γ-Induced thermoluminescence, EPR and structural properties

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2014-04, Vol.591, p.286-292
• Main Authors: Umesh, B., Nagabhushana, H., Sharma, S.C., Eraiah, B., Dhananjaya, N., Nagabhushana, B.M., Rao, J.L., Chakradhar, R.P.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agglomeration; Alloys; Combustion synthesis; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Crystallites; Exact sciences and technology; Fading; Nanocrystallite; Nanocrystals; Nanocrystals and nanoparticles; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of low-dimensional, mesoscopic, and nanoscale materials and structures; Phosphor; Phosphors; Physics; Roasting; Scanning electron microscopy; Thermoluminescence; Trap parameters
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.12.052

Gamma induced TL glow curves of Nd2O3:Gd3+ (2mol%) [Display omitted] •Nd2O3:Gd3+ (2mol%) nano particles were prepared via solution combustion technique with ODH fuel at low temperature.•Subjected to γ-irradiation and TL behavior was studied for the first time.•A well resolved single glow peak at ∼409K was recorded for all the samples.•EPR spectrum exhibits two broad resonance signals atg∼2.132 and g∼5.210 which were attributed to Gd3+ ions. Preparation of nanocrystalline Nd2O3:Gd3+ (2mol%) phosphor was prepared by propellant combustion route at low temperature. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to study the structural and morphological features. A and C type hexagonal phase of Nd2O3 was obtained in as-formed and calcined product at 900°C for 3h. SEM images show the product was highly porous, agglomerated and irregular shaped particles. The average crystallite size estimated from Scherrer’s and W–H plots were found to be in the range ∼20–50nm. Combination of Fg and (Fg+Eg) modes were observed from Raman studies. A single TL glow peak at 409K was recorded at a warming rate 5°Cs−1. TL response as a function of γ-irradiation showed linear response up to 1.6kGy and later it followed exponential growth. The phosphor show simple glow curve structure with less fading over a period of 30days. Trap parameters were estimated from Chen’s peak shape method. The activation energy (E) and frequency factor (s) was found to in the range 1.377–2.934eV and 2.01×1011–8.70×1022Hz respectively.