Preparation, structure and optical properties of Pr:Gd2O3 phosphor

Pr3+-doped Gd2O3 phosphor powders were prepared by co-precipitation method. Their structures during heat-treatments were studied by XRD and IR methods. The pH was optimized to be 8 in the co-precipitation process and the hydroxide precursors were transformed into pure phase cubic Gd2O3 at 500 degrees C for 1 h. Optical properties of Pr:Gd2O3 phosphor powders were reported. The main emission bands are assigned to 1D(2) -> 3H(4), 3P(0) -> 3H(6), 3p(0) -> 3F(2) transition of Pr3+ under excitation at 255 and 488 nm. The emission intensities increase with increasing sintering temperature. Concentration quenching appears as the Pr3+ doping-concentration up to 1 at.%. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.