BaFBr:Eu2+ nanophosphor-SiO2 hybrid entrapped in Anodise Alumina membrane pores array

• Published in: Radiation measurements Vol. 68; pp. 38 - 41
• Main Authors: Secu, C.E., Matei, E., Secu, M., Damian, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Composite materials; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Electron microscopy; Exact sciences and technology; Geochronology; Isotope geochemistry. Geochronology; Luminescence; Phosphor; Composite materials; Electron microscopy; Phosphor; Luminescence; scanning electron microscopy; bromides; fluorides; silica; X-rays; X-ray diffraction; barium; halides; rare earths; alumina; luminescence; gels; europium; electron microscopy; spatial resolution
• ISSN: 1350-4487; 1879-0925
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2014.07.001

Sol–gel template method has been used to prepare BaFBr:Eu2+ nanophosphor-SiO2 hybrid entrapped within the nanopores array (of about 200 nm size) of a comercial anodized alumina (AA) membrane. Structural and morphological measurements using electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have shown the presence of the BaFBr:Eu2+ nanophosphor in the silica xerogel entrapped within the nanopores array; photoluminescence and X-ray excited luminescence measurements have shown Eu2+ luminescence at 395 nm accompanied by a broad band due to AA membrane. The method assures a relatively uniform spreading of the BaFBr nanophosphor into the AA membrane pores array without the nanoparticles agglomeration. Preliminary imaging tests have shown a spatial resolution in the micrometer range and even in the submicrometer range can be expected. As BaFBr:Eu2+ is a very efficient X-ray phosphor the material might be used as X-ray micro-imaging detector. •Sol–gel method was used to prepare Eu-doped BaFBr nanophosphor embedded in SiO2 matrix.•Anodized alumina membrane nanopores array were filled by the nanophosphor-SiO2 hybrid.•Photo and X-ray luminescence spectra showed Eu2+ ions luminescence at 395 nm.•Preliminary imaging tests have shown a spatial resolution in the micrometer range.