Single-phase nanopowders of Sr0.85-xBaxEu0.15F2.15: Investigation of structure and X-ray luminescent properties.

Novel scintillating and visualizing materials are an essential part of the development of high-power X-ray sources like synchrotrons and free-electron lasers. One of the latest approaches is the formation of composite materials composed of X-ray luminescent nanoparticles in a robust transparent matrix with high thermal conductivity. Here, such Sr 0.85-x Ba x Eu 0.15 F 2.15 nanopowders with a particle size of ≈50 nm were synthesized by precipitation from aqueous solutions. Single-phase solid solutions are formed up to a barium concentration of 70 mol.%. The most intense luminescence band is the band of trivalent europium with a maximum at 590.4 nm, corresponding to the 5D 0 → 7F 1 transition. The concentration dependence of the X-ray luminescence intensity on the barium content was revealed, and the most optimal composition Sr 0.35 Ba 0.50 Eu 0.15 F 2.15 with the brightest luminescence response was determined. The obtained type of nanoparticles has potential applications for the fabrication of new scintillating and visualizing composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]