Spectroscopic reflects of structural disorder in Eu3+/Pr3+-doped La0.4Gd1.6Zr2O7 transparent ceramics.

Abstract Perfectly transparent ceramics of La 0.4 Gd 1.6 Zr 2 O 7 doped with either Eu3+ or Pr3+ ions were prepared by high-temperature vacuum sintering. Results of the Rietveld structure refinement and spectroscopic properties of the ceramics are presented and discussed in details. Photoluminescence characteristics support the non-uniformity in the crystal structure of ceramics. X-ray excited luminescence of La 0.4 Gd 1.6 Zr 2 O 7 :Eu was rather inefficient and the Pr-doped ceramics showed no Pr-related radioluminescence. Instead they produced Eu3+ emission characteristic for Gd 2 O 3 :Eu phase not detected in X-ray diffraction patterns. Highlights • Structure refinement of La 0.4 Gd 1.6 Zr 2 O 7 transparent ceramics revealed non-uniformity of its crystal structure. • Photoluminescence confirmed the multisite occupancy of the activator in Eu3+/Pr3+-doped La 0.4 Gd 1.6 Zr 2 O 7 transparent ceramics. • The Eu3+ presence as well as gadolinia contamination was analyzed through photo-/radioluminescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]