Tuning the absorption, luminescence, morphological and mechanical characteristics of ZrSiO4 structure through simultaneous additions of Pr3+/ PO43-

The study investigates the ability of synthetic ZrSiO4 to host the combined occupancy of Pr3+/PO43-in its tetragonal crystal lattice. Sol-gel method has been utilized to synthesize a series of Pr3+/PO43-additions in SiO2-ZrO2 binary oxides and the feasibility of the resultant to transform into a ZrSiO4 by the influence of thermal treatment were investigated through series of analytical techniques. The overall results indicated the feasibility of ZrSiO4 lattice to host a maximum of 10 mol.% Pr3+/PO43-to retain a unique solid solution beyond which the crystallization of PrPO4 as a secondary phase is noticed. The temperature effect has played a pivotal role in the phase behaviour of SiO2-ZrO2 binary oxides due the invariable range maintained in the Pr3+/PO43-additions. The data obtained from the absorption spectra, luminescence, lifetime decay measurements, morphological, magnetic and mechanical analysis of the investigated systems ensured the significance of phase composition to yield the desired properties.