Effect of Al sub 2 O sub 3 matrix on the optical properties of NdAlO sub 3 in NdAlO sub 3 /Al sub 2 O sub 3 ceramic-ceramic composite

• Published in: Scripta materialia 2000-08, Vol.44 (8-9), p.2105-2109
• Main Authors: Mathur, S, Veith, M, Shen, H, Lecerf, N, Hufner, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1359-6462

Nanocomposites are being extensively investigated to obtain new materials with tailored and improved properties. The compositionally different nanocomposites where two or more solid phases are interdispersed are difficult to prepare by conventional preparation techniques and phase segregation and agglomeration of particles are commonly observed. This challenge of intimate mixing of constituents can be achieved by combining the different elements required for the target ceramic or composite material in a single molecule. We describe here the sol-gel synthesis of NdAlO sub 3 ceramic and NdAlO sub 3 /Al sub 2 O sub 3 ceramic-ceramic composite by a positional control of atoms in Single-Source Precursors. The incorporation of neodymium ions or nanoscaled Nd-based phases in insulating hosts has important applications as solid-state laser materials, phosphors for fluorescent lighting, optical amplifiers, etc. We have investigated the effect of alumina matrix on the luminescent efficiency and concentration quenching phenomenon of Nd exp 3+ ions, in NdAlO sub 3 .