Synthesis of Eu3+ doped Gd2O3-HfO2 nanopowder for radiation detection

A novel heavy phosphor, europium doped Gd2O3-HfO2 nanopowders, were successfully prepared via a co-precipitation method. Particles of as-prepared powders are spherical in shape and have an average particle size of 50 nm in diameter. X-ray diffraction measurement confirms the formation of the cubic phase in the Gd2O3-HfO2 solid solution. Photoluminescence spectra of Eu3+ doped Gd2O3-HfO2 nanopowder (λex = 250 nm) showed red emission at 611 nm which corresponds to the 5D0-7F2 transition of Eu3+ ion. A 1 mol% Eu doped powder show highest luminescence, however the phosphors show lower quenching concentration, 5 mol% Eu3+ doped sample exhibits very weak luminescence.