Sol Gel Synthesis and Thermal Treatment Effect on Ce3+ Doped GdBO3 Nanoclusters Obtained in Silica Glass

Abstract

Silica glass samples containing GdBO3/Ce³⁺ nanoclusters were prepared by sol gel process. The effect of thermal treatment on the structural and optical properties was investigated. From DSC and XRD analysis, it was found that the GdBO3 hexagonal vaterite phase crystallizes inside the silica glass above 700 ℃. The average crystallites size ranges between 20 to 50 nm when the temperature increases from 800 ℃ to 1000 ℃. TEM-EDS analysis evidenced the presence of GdBO3:Ce³⁺ nanoclusters inside the silica matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows the presence of silica and borate linkages with significant changes in the intensity when the temperature increases from 500 ℃ to 1000 ℃. Finally, photoluminescence measurements showed that the sample heat treated at 1000 ℃ presents the maximum photoluminescence intensity assigned to the 5d Open image in new window 4f transition of Ce³⁺ ions