Ultraviolet-B radiation from Gd (III) doped hardystonite

Abstract Trivalent gadolinium (Gd 3+ )-doped calcium zinc silicate (Ca 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 /hardystonite) with a molar composition of Ca 2− x ZnSi 2 O 7 : x Gd 3+ ( x = 0.09 mol) was produced using a sol–gel system. The hardystonite was characterized using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction study revealed that the prepared sample contained a tetragonal phase of Ca 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 . The vibrational structures of the sample were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. The photoluminescence emission spectrum of the Ca 1.91 ZnSi 2 O 7 :0.09Gd 3+ phosphor narrow band was optimized at 312 nm in the Ultraviolet-B region under excitation at 273 nm wavelength. Electron paramagnetic resonance study authenticates the presence of gadolinium (Gd) ions within the trivalent state in the Ca 1.91 ZnSi 2 O 7 :0.09Gd 3+ host.