Structure and morphology of scintillating Ce- and Pb-doped strontium hafnate powders

We use acetate–citrate combustion to prepare SrHfO3 powders both undoped and doped with Ce3+ and Pb2+ ions in several concentrations, from 0.01 up to 3 mol%. The evolution of their morphological and structural features during the sintering process is studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman experiments. We discuss the dependence of the optical properties, investigated by radioluminescence and time resolved luminescence, on sintering conditions and material structure.