Structure, morphology and optical-luminescence investigations of spinel ZnGa2O4 ceramics co-doped with Mn2+ and Eu3+ ions

The polycrystalline zinc gallate ZnGa2O4: Mn2+ and ZnGa2O4: Mn2+, Eu3+ samples have been synthesized via high-temperature solid-state reaction ceramic technique. The obtained ceramics have been characterized employing the methods of X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and optical-luminescent spectroscopy. The XRD analysis testified in favor of successful formation of spinel structure in the prepared samples with small amount of additional phase observed in the ZnGa2O4: Mn2+, Eu3+ ceramics. The grains of irregular shape with a homogeneous distribution of Eu3+ ions in a volume were identified with TEM technique. The band gap of ZnGa2O4: Mn2+ spinel was estimated from optical absorption spectra in UV–Vis range. The characteristic bands related to electronic transitions of Mn2+ and Eu3+ ions were found in optical absorption and excitation spectra. The photoluminescence emission spectra exhibited matrix luminescence along with emission band of Mn2+ ions and narrow lines of Eu3+ ions in blue, green and red spectral region, respectively. The intensity ratio of Eu3+ emission lines confirms the high asymmetry around Eu3+ ions. These findings correlate well with results of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy showing intense reduction of positron trapping rate deeply in ceramics grains due to Eu3+ ions penetration.