Mössbauer spectroscopy of europium-doped fluorochlorozirconate glasses and glass ceramics: optimization of storage phosphors in computed radiography

Abstract

Eu2+-doped fluorochlorozirconate (FCZ) glasses and glass ceramics, which are being developed for medical and photovoltaic applications, have been analysed by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The oxidation state and chemical environment of the europium ions, which are important for the performance of these materials, were investigated. Routes for maximizing the divalent europium content were also investigated. By using EuCl2 instead of EuF2 in the starting material a fraction of about 90% of the europium was maintained in the Eu2+ state as opposed to about 70% when using EuF2. The glass ceramics produced by subsequent thermal processing contain BaCl2 nanocrystals in which Eu2+ is incorporated, as shown by the narrower linewidth in the Mössbauer spectrum. Debye temperatures of 147 K and 186 K for Eu2+ and Eu3+, respectively, were determined from temperature dependent Mössbauer measurements. The f-factors were used to obtain the Eu2+/Eu3+ ratio from the area ratio of the corresponding absorption lines.