Luminescence characteristics and X‐ray‐induced defects in BaFBr:Eu2+ storage phosphor

Three different approaches used to synthesize a sensitive BaFBr:Eu2+ X-ray storage photostimulated luminescence (PSL) phosphor at 850°C for 1 h in a reducing atmosphere are reported. The effects of F/Br and Eu concentration on photoluminescence (PL) and PSL sensitivities synthesized by the three approaches were compared. In the first recipe, BaFBr:Eu2+ prepared using a BaF2 , BaBr2 and EuF3 mixture using solid-state diffusion (Recipe I), even in a reducing atmosphere, yielded a low PL and PSL intensity due to oxygen contamination that acted as competing hole traps. When BaFBr:Eu2+ was prepared using ammonium bromide and ammonium fluoride by two different recipes (Recipes II and III), oxygen contamination was eliminated, resulting in enhanced PSL efficiency. The proposed PSL process in BaFBr:Eu2+ was consistent with the experimental results. Increased F/Br molar ratios would incorporate fluorine ion interstitials that act as hole traps accompanied by bromine ion vacancies that act as electron traps. Although two types of F centres, F(Br- ) and F(F- ) are possible, F(Br- ) centres formed during X-irradiation are only vital for the PSL process. Structural, morphology, and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of the samples were also examined using XRD, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), and TL studies.