Prepration and photoluminescence properties of Ce doped lutetium silicate nanopowders by sol–gel method

Cerium doped lutetium silicate powders were prepared by sol–gel process with different cerium concentrations (0, 0.01 and 0.03 mol%). The synthesized lutetium silicate powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), TG-DTA, SEM, and Photoluminescence excitation and emissions. The crystallization of lutetium silicate is observed at 1.073 °C in S2 (and S3: 1.058 °C) sample. The formation of lutetium silicate phases was confirmed by XRD analysis for the powders heated at 1.200 °C, of which mixed phases containing Lu2SiO5 and Lu2Si2O7 phase were observed. Lutetium silicate powders were homogeneous and constituted of small spherical particles of about 400 nm. Lutetium silicate powder itself was not scintillate, but scintillation yield was higher in Lu2SiO5:Ce3+ powder. Very broad spectra were observed in the range of 350–530 nm, and emission intensity increases at a Ce doping of 0.01%, but decreases at 0.03%.

► Lutetium silicate powders with various cerium contents were synthesized by sol-gel method. ► The crystallization of lutetium silicate phase is observed at 1.073 °C by DTA, the crystallization temperature was dependent on cerium concentration. ► Lutetium silicate powders were homogeneous and constituted of small spherical particles of about 400 nm. ► Lutetium silicate powder itself was not scintillate, but scintillation yield was higher in cerium doped lutetium silicate powder. ► It was found that very broad emission spectra were observed in the range of 350 to 530 nm, and emission intensity was strongly dependent on cerium.