Optical and EPR studies of Gd2Zr2O7 phosphors prepared via solution combustion method

Phosphor powder of Gd2Zr2O7 has been prepared by the urea combustion route. Phase evolution of the synthesized powder is determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The structural environment between the Gd3+ and the zirconium oxide lattice has been investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence (PL) studies. The EPR spectrum of Gd2Zr2O7 phosphor exhibits a broad and intense signal at g≈2.0 and this has been attributed to Gd3+ ions in octahedral symmetry with strong dipolar interactions between Gd3+ ions. The intensity of the spectrum increases with temperature lowering from 296 to 110 K following the usual Boltzmann law. The g value is invariant with temperature variation. The diffuse reflectance spectrum exhibits two sharp and weak bands characteristic of Gd3+ ions in octahedral symmetry. The photoluminescence spectrum exhibits several bands characteristic of Gd3+ ions in octahedral symmetry.