A route to obtain Gd2O3:Nd3+ with different particle size

Author(s)

Ferrari, J. L. ^{[1, 2]} ; Parreira, R. L. T. ^[2] ; Pires, A. M. ^[3] ; Lima, S. A. M. ^{[1, 3]} ; Davolos, M. R. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP, Inst Quim, BR-14800970 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo Univ USP, Dept Chem, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] UNESP, Fac Ciencia & Tecnol, Dept Fis Quim & Biol, BR-19060900 Presidente Prudente, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Materials Chemistry and Physics; v. 127, n. 1-2, p. 40-44, MAY 16 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

This work reports the chemical etching effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (H(4)EDTA) on the particle size of Gd(2)O(3):Nd(3+) phosphor obtained from the thermal decomposition of Gd(2)(OH)(2)(CO(3))center dot nH(2)O:Nd(3+). Thermogravimetric behavior of the precursor Gd(2)(OH)(2)(CO(3))center dot nH(2)O:Nd(3+) (2 at%) is presented and discussed. Structural and spectroscopic investigation of the Gd(2)O(3):Nd(3+) powders revealed that this phosphor displays a band emission in the infrared region, which is an important feature for photonic applications. The treatment with different EDTA concentrations results in different Gd(2)O(3):Nd(3+) particle size. Through SEM analysis, we have demonstrated that the particle size of Gd(2)O(3):Nd(3+) decreases with increasing amount of EDTA. Hereby, we report a chemical etching method as a route to obtain particle size control which is an important requirement to improve phosphor properties and its applicability. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)