Can divalent ions co-doping strategy make Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3:Ce scintillation materials perform better?

The Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 polycrystalline powders doped with 1 at%Ce3+ and co-doped with Ca2+, Mg2+, or Sr2+ with varying concentration were fabricated by conventional solid-state reaction method. We applied X-ray diffraction, optical diffuse reflectance spectrum, luminescent spectra under UV and X-ray excitation, fluorescence decay time and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy to study the effects of divalent ions co-doping on the Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3:Ce scintillation materials. Through experiments, the influence of divalent ions co-doping strategy on scintillation efficiency and the action mechanism were revealed.

► No positive contribution of the Me2+ ions on the scintillation efficiency was found. ► Parasite emission located around 380–400 nm for certain Me2+ co-doping ions. ► The Ce3+-distorted luminescence center formed after Me2+ co-doping. ► Point defects and Ce4+ concentration increasing were responsible for the deterioration.