Spectral and trapping parameters of Eu3+ in Gd2O2S nanophosphor

This paper reports the structural, photometric, spectral and trapping parameters of Eu3+-doped gadolinium oxysulphide nanophosphor. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data show the presence of the hexagonal phase of Gd2O2S and a crystallite size in nanometre range. Different structural parameters were calculated from XRD data. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum also confirms the formation of a compound. Scanning electron microscope studies reveal the morphology and crystallite size of the prepared phosphor. The band gap of the phosphor was calculated from diffuse reflectance spectra using the Kubelka-Munk function at 4.76eV. The phosphor was illuminated with ultraviolet light and shows the characteristic red luminescence corresponding to D-5(0)-> F-7(J) transitions of Eu3+. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters and spectral parameters were estimated from the photoluminescence data. The nanophosphor was irradiated with gamma-rays in the dose range 15-50 Gy for thermoluminescence (TL) studies and a shifting of the peak towards lower temperatures was observed with increasing gamma-dose. Trapping parameters were calculated from TL data using various glow curve analysis methods.