Structural and luminescence characterization of β-Ga2O3 nanopowders obtained via high-energy ball milling

Abstract

β-Ga2O3 nanocrystals have been successfully obtained by the high-energy ball milling method. The obtained nanocrystalline powders have been characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and luminescent spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction patterns show a single gallium oxide structure formed in the milling process with a small amount of α-Ga2O3 phase. The grains of irregular shape were identified with the TEM technique. HRTEM images confirmed the formation of the β-Ga2O3 nanocrystals with a size distribution of 50–80 nm. Three luminescence bands peaked at about 2.52, 2.91, and 3.26 eV were observed in photoluminescence spectra. The gradual blue shift of the emission maxima at the excitation in the fundamental absorption edge under the different milling conditions was detected.