Low temperature preparation and characterization of In 1− xLn xBO 3 ( x = 0.0 and 0.05; Ln = Gd, Eu, Dy and Sm): ESR of In 0.95Gd 0.05BO 3 and emission of In 0.95Eu 0.05BO 3

Abstract

Indium borate and rare earth substituted indium borates (In 1− x Ln x BO 3 ( x = 0.0 and 0.05; Ln = Gd, Eu, Dy and Sm)) are prepared at low temperature by metathesis reaction using InCl 3, LnCl 3 and NaBO 2. They are characterized by powder XRD and infrared spectroscopy. All the compositions (In 1− x Ln x BO 3) crystallize in hexagonal lattice with calcite structure. These borates gave characteristic IR vibrations of planar BO 3 group. Spin-Hamiltonian parameters for Gd 3+ are deduced from room temperature electron spin resonance spectrum of In 0.95Gd 0.05BO 3. The electron spin resonance spectrum of In 0.95Gd 0.05BO 3 gave several anisotropic lines with g > 2.0. The ESR spectrum of the sample belongs to the “intermediate” category with 1/4 < H CF/ hν < 1. The local symmetry of Eu 3+ in In 0.95Eu 0.05BO 3 is obtained from its emission spectrum. The R/O ratio of In 0.95Eu 0.05BO 3 suggests the occupation of In 3+ site by Eu 3+ with near symmetric octahedral geometry.