Structural, vibrational and photoluminescence properties of Sr(1-x)PbxMoO4 solid solution synthesized by solid state reaction

•The solid solution Sr(1-x)Pb(x)MoO4 is characterized by X-ray diffraction.•Raman spectroscopy confirm that the solid solution is disordered.•Photoluminescence experiments are carried out under X-ray excitation.•Emission bands can be decomposed into four components between 2.1 and 2.9 eV.•The intensities of emission bands reach a maximum for 0.1 < x < 0.4.

In this paper, strontium lead molybdate Sr1-xPbxMoO4 polycrystalline samples with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 were prepared by solid state preparation method at 1000 °C. These materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Their photoluminescence responses were analyzed under X-ray excitation. Rietveld refinements indicate that all the materials present a scheelite-type tetragonal structure. Micro-Raman spectra confirmed the formation of the solid solution with a specific effect due to Sr-O-Mo and Pb-O-Mo links in the scheelite structure. SEM images showed modifications in the shapes and grain sizes as x increased. Broad photoluminescent emission bands were observed in the energy range 2.1–2.9 eV. The emission bands were decomposed into four gaussian components. The intensities of all components presented a strong maximum in the composition range 0.1 < x < 0.4.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slidePhotoluminescence under X-ray excitation of Sr1-xPbxMoO4 solid solution: (left) decomposition of the emission band into four components for composition x = 0.3; (right) variation of total emission intensity with composition x, with a maximum observed close to x = 0.3.