BaHfO3:Ce sintered ceramic scintillators

Raw powders of BaHfO3:Ce were prepared with modified Pechini process and were calcined in the 650-1700 degrees C range of temperatures, at different atmospheres - air, vacuum and nitrogen-hydrogen mixture. The powders were converted into sintered ceramics by vacuum sintering. The materials were characterized by XRD, TEM, photoluminescence and radioluminescence spectroscopy. UV-VUV excitation spectra were recorded using synchrotron radiation. Excitation spectra proved that atmosphere of preparation significantly influences the host-to-activator energy transfer, which is the most efficient for materials made in reducing conditions. Also radioluminescence efficacy was found to be superior for materials prepared in such conditions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.