Cathodoluminescence and thermoluminescence of ZnB2O4:Eu3+ phosphors prepared via wet-chemical synthesis

In present work, a series of Eu doped zinc borate, ZnB2O4, phosphors prepared via wet chemical synthesis and their structural, surface morphology, cathodoluminescence (CL) and thermoluminescence (TL) properties have been studied. Phase purity and crystal structure of as-prepared samples are confirmed by X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD) and they were well consistent with PDF card No. 39-1126, indicating the formation of pure phase. The thermoluminescence (TL) behaviors of Eu activated ZnB2O4 host lattice are studied for various beta doses ranging from 0.1 to 10 Gy. The high-temperature peak of Eu activated sample located at 192 °C exhibited a linear dose response in the range of 0.1–10 Gy. Initial rise (IR) and peak shape (PS) methods were used to determine the activation energies of the trapping centres. The effects of the variable heating rate on TL behaviour of Eu activated ZnB2O4 were also studied. When excited using an electron beam induced light emission (i.e cathodoluminescence, CL) at room temperature (RT), the as-prepared phosphors generate reddish-orange color due to predominant emission peaks of Eu3+ ions located at 576–710 nm assigned to the 5D0→7FJ (J=1,2,3, and 4) transitions. The maximum CL intensity for Eu3+ ions at 614 nm with transition 5D0→7F2 was reached Eu3+ concentration of 5 mol%; quenching occurred at higher concentrations. Strong emission peak for Eu3+ ions at 614 nm with transition 5D0→7F2 is observed. The CL experimental data indicate that ZnB2O4:Eu3+ phosphor as an orange-red emitting phosphor may be promising luminescence materials for the optoelectronic applications. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.