Bright Green Luminescence from Zirconium Oxide Stabilized with Tb 3+ Ions Synthesized by Solution Combustion Technique

Abstract

In this research, the structural phase composition and room temperature luminescence properties of terbium doped zirconium oxide powders obtained by solution combustion synthesis method are presented as a function of the terbium content. The doping with terbium ions was performed during the redox combustion process and after annealing at 900°C during 20 hours. With the incorporation of the terbium ions into the zirconium oxide host, the stabilization of the high temperature tetragonal crystalline phase, as determined by x-ray diffraction technique, was obtained. Under ultraviolet radiation a bright green luminescence was observed at room temperature corresponding to the (4f) electron configuration of the Tb3+ ion, namely the electronic transitions 5D4 → 7Fn with n = 3 - 6. In addition, the undoped ZrO2 material showed green photoluminescence with high intensity.