Synthesis Conditions on the Nature of GdBO3 Phase Formed

Abstract

AbstractPresent study has been carried out to develop a facile synthetic methodology for preparing single phase monoclinic and triclinic forms of GdBO3, a potential phosphor material. This is achieved by varying annealing temperatures and annealing steps. Detailed structural studies, using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopic techniques confirmed that, Gd3+‐boric acid complexes formed initially at low temperatures (300 °C or less) get converted to monoclinic and triclinic forms of GdBO3 depending upon annealing temperatures, annealing steps and heating rates. Multiple steps with slow heating rates (∼3 °C/min) lead to the formation of single phase triclinic form of GdBO3. Two step heating with relatively faster heating rates (5 °C/min and above) results in single phase monoclinic GdBO3. FTIR and Raman studies also confirmed that boron exists only as BO4 structural units (in the form of B3O93− rings) in monoclinic GdBO3 and as BO3 structural units in triclinic GdBO3. Luminescence studies carried out with Eu3+ as a probe species confirmed more covalent nature around Eu3+/Gd3+ ions with improved red colour emission from triclinic form of GdBO3 compared to the monoclinic form.