Effect of Eu-doping on optical, structural and morphological properties of BaI2·nH2O powders

The two-step approach to the Eu2+ doped BaI2·nH2O powders synthesis in Ar atmosphere from precursors containing different concentration of Eu3+ ions is reported. According to X-ray diffraction analysis the powders mainly consist of BaI2·2H2O phase. Their morphological, structural and luminescent properties depend on the Eu-ions concentration. The luminescence spectra are composed of broad and strong emission band peaking at 420 nm, which was related to the Eu2+ 5d-4f transition. Its intensity reaches maximum in the 2 at. % Eu2+ doped sample. Detailed analysis of the measured electron paramagnetic resonance spectra in the samples with different doping level confirms them belong to the Eu2+ ions substituting for the regular Ba2+ site in the BaI2 lattice. A sample exposed to the 330 nm UV irradiation exhibited an increase of the Eu2+ spectral intensity occurred exclusively due to the Eu3+ to Eu2+ transformation. No other signals either prior to or after the irradiation which might be attributed to the ions resided in e.g., interstitial positions or in any secondary phases were observed. Possible mechanisms of the Eu3+ stabilization in the host lattice with only divalent cation sites during the synthesis without additional treatment in reducing atmosphere are discussed as well.