Structural properties of Urfa stone doped with erbium oxide

In this study, we investigated the structural properties of Urfa stone (US) doped with erbium oxide (Er2O3). Solid US was powdered by using an agate mortar, and its elemental composition was determined using inductive coupling plasma (ICP) methods. Varying amounts of Er2O3 (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40%) were added as a dopant to the US powder using mechanical alloying methods. The resultant samples were sintered at 1000 °C for 1 h. The structural properties of the Er2O3-doped US samples were subsequently investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and photoluminescence methods. Results from the XRD analysis of the Er2O3-doped US powder indicated two crystalline phases: (1) calcium oxide (CaO) or lime and (2) Er2O3. After the samples were sintered at 1000 °C, CaO, Er2O3, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and mixed crystalline phases were observed. Results from the FTIR analysis of the Er2O3-doped US samples indicated absorption bands at 711.91, 872.08, and 1396.87 cm−1 in the spectra. Finally, photoluminescence analysis results indicated a shift in the emission and excitation bands to longer and shorter wavelengths, respectively, in the solid state (non-aqueous media) US-Er complex.