Synthesis and Photoluminescence of γ-Al2O3and C-doped γ-Al2O3Powders

The γ-Al2O3 and C-doped γ-Al2O3 powders have been synthesized by a modified polyacrylamide gel method. XRD, SEM and luminescence characterization have been used to study the prepared samples. The results indicate that the particle size and morphology of the samples depend on the choice of chelating agent. In comparison with pure γ-Al2O3 sample, the intensity of emission peak at 420 nm of C-doped γ-Al2O3 powders has been obviously enhanced, which is expected to widen the potential applications of C-doped γ-Al2O3 composite powders. The photoluminescence spectrum detected at λex= 386 nm shows a new peak located at 440 nm due to oxygen vancancies distributed on the surface of the composite. Interestingly, the intensity of the emission peak located at 440 nm (C-doped γ-Al2O3) increases with the decrease of crystallite size.