Preparation and Characterization of Europium-doped Gadolinium Oxide Phosphors Using Oxalate Coprecipitation Method

Abstract

To synthesize Gd₂O₃:Eu³? phosphor, gadolinium-europium oxalate precursors were prepared from oxalic acid, NaOH or aqueous ammonia via coprecipitation method. The obtained precursors were heat-treated and then characterized by XRD, SEM and PL. The kinds and amounts of coprecipitant (NaOH or aqueous ammonia) were found to affect the powder morphology and properties of gadolinium-europium oxalate precursors. Two crystalline precursors and one amorphous precursor were synthesized. The nanometer-sized amorphous gadolinium-europium oxalate precursor was first prepared using the oxalate coprecipitation technique. The calcined powders obtained from the amorphous precursor were nearly spherical in shape, and a narrow size distribution was obtained. The NaOH coprecipitant was more effective in the preparation of nanometer-sized spherical powders. A thermal decomposition process was conducted for the three kinds of precursors. The photoluminescence property was also measured as a function of europium content, and concentration quenching occurred for samples with europium concentrations of over 10 ㏖%.