Characterization and luminescent properties of Eu 3+ doped Gd2Zr2O7 nanopowders

abstract Nanopowders based on gadolinium zirconium oxide (Gd 2 Zr 2 O 7 ) doped by europium ions (Eu 3+ ) were suc-cessfully prepared using a flame combustion method. This material is suitable for various optical devices.The structure of prepared materials has been confirmed and characterized using X-ray powder diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The luminescenceproperties of synthesized nanopowders were characterized by emission spectra and luminescence life-times by using the streak camera system. PL spectra were obtained at three different excitation wave-lengths (Optical Parametric Oscilator (OPO) at 360 nm, laser diode at 365 nm and Ar laser line at514.5 nm). The strong emission lines at 611 nm and 630 nm corresponding to the 5 D 0 ? 7 F 2 long livedtransition could be used as a new red light source in optical devices. 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. IntroductionRare earth zirconates (Re 2 Zr 2 0 7 ) have been identified as theattractive candidates for TBC (thermal barrier coatings) applica-tions, high temperature heating devices and host materials forluminescence applications [1]. Their crystal structure is stable inhigh temperature, oxidizing environments and because they emitintense, visible emission. There are two kinds of different crystalstructuresfor Re