Local Structure of Nd3+ in Lu2O3 Nanopowders and Transparent Ceramics

Local structures of doped Nd3+ in Lu2O3 nanopowders and transparent ceramic were investigated through X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). EXAFS spectroscopy of Nd L-3 edge at about 6215 eV demonstrates that doped Nd atoms has entered Lu2O3 host lattice by substitution solid solution with trivalence state. The first shell Nd-O distances are around 0. 225 nm for Nd3+ : Lu2O3 samples. Fitting results of EXAFS present detailed information about species of Nd near-neighborhood coordination atoms, inter-atom distance, coordination number and disorder parameter. The Nd-O first shell distance in nanopowder increases 0. 007 nm as Nd3+ doping concentration raises from 0. 5% to 3%, whereas the Nd-O first shell distance in transparent ceramics exhibites little change. Owing to a large amount of Nd3+ existence on particle surface, Nd3+ : Lu2O3 nanopowders exhibites a lager first shell nearest Nd-O distance, coordination number and disorder parameters than those of transparent ceramics.