Synthesis and Analysis of nanostructured Y2O3 ceramics doped with europium and terbium

Abstract

In this work the potential of the material Y2O3 doped with the rare earth Eu3+ and Tb3+ was evaluatedfrom the point of view of its application as radiation detector in medical image equipments. The ceramicpowders were prepared through the proteic sol-gel route, departing from the precursors Y(NO3)3.6H2O,Eu2O3 and TbCl3 that were dissolved in coconut water. This route presents economic and environmentaladvantages over the conventional process. After the synthesis, the ceramic powders were pressed andsintered at temperatures between 1100 °C and 1400 °C. The single phase material presented mean particlediameter of 50 nm and  photoluminescence spectra with the characteristic peaks of the rare earth dopands.