Preparation of a GdCaAl3O7 matrix by the non-hydrolytic sol-gel route

Due to their stable physical and chemical properties, inorganic matrices have been widely employed as hosts for lasers and phosphors. We have prepared a GdCaAl3O7 matrix by the non-hydrolytic sol-gel route and have investigated the influence of heating treatment on sample structure. Europium III chloride was added as a structural probe, and the structure was analyzed by thermal analyses (TG/DTA/DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL). The XRD analysis revealed that initial crystallization took place at 400 degrees C. The peaks corresponding to the GdCaAl3O7 and GdAlO3 phases were observed at 800 and 1000 degrees C. PL data revealed the characteristic transition bands arising from the D-5(0) -> F-5(J) (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4) manifolds under maximum excitation at 275, 391 and 463 nm for all the samples. All the analyses gave evidence that this methodology leads to the formation of a GdCaAl3O7 phase. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.