Sol–gel synthesis and luminescent properties of nanocrystalline YAP:Mn

The work describes results of synthesis of Mn-doped YAP nanocrystalline samples by the sol–gel method and characterization of the material by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and luminescence techniques. It was revealed that obtained in such a way YAP samples posses rather poor radiation storage properties that is interpreted by the uniform near-equilibrium synthesis conditions that does not allow formation of YAl antisite ions required for electrons trapping. On the other hand, the sol–gel method can be suggested as a suitable technique for obtaining of highly stoichiometric and not defected structure material without parasitic charge capturing and recombination processes that is very essential e.g. for scintillator materials.

► Sol–gel synthesis of Mn-doped YAP.
► Characterization by XRD, SEM and luminescence techniques.
► Sol–gel YAP has poor radiation storage properties due to absence of YAl antisites.