Investigation on the crystallization process of Eu3+: CaSiO 3 gel using optical and thermal methods

Abstract

Alkoxy sol-gel technique is an important preparation method for production of rare-earth based phosphors. Crystallization of gel provides a way to prepare phosphors on lower working temperatures than those required for the solid state reactions. CaSiO3 gel samples were obtained through hydrolysis-condensation reactions of tetraethylorthosilicate as silica source. In this work we studied the process of crystallization of Eu3+- activated CaSiO3 gel and decomposition of organic precursors by means of thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Results of scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersion spectrometry are used to check chemical composition and morphology of synthesized material. Emission spectra and emission life-time measurements are performed to investigate luminescence properties of Eu3+ doped CaSiO3 powder.