FABRICATON AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF Gd2O3:Eu3+ NANOSPHERE FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

In this work, Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ was synthesized by a multi-step chemical method with different molar concentration ratios [Eu³⁺]/[Gd³⁺] of 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7%. The synthesized products were annealed at different temperatures of 650, 850 and 900 ^oC. The as-synthesized and annealed samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. The optical properties of the synthesized samples were investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy at room temperature. The results indicate that the synthesized Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ have highly spherical uniform morphology with the size range of 340 - 440 nm. The samples produced red luminescence and the strongest emission peak at 611 nm corresponding to ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. The synthesized Gd₂O₃:6%Eu³⁺ annealing at 850 ^oC exhibited strong luminescence, this is a promising materials in labeling and identification for biomedical applications.