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Mild hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, photoluminescence properties and emission quantum yield of a new zirconium germanate with garnet-type structure

Journal Article · · Journal of Solid State Chemistry
 [1];  [2]; ;  [3]
  1. Department of Physics, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimares (Portugal)
  2. Department of Physics, CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro (Portugal)
  3. Department of Chemistry, CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro (Portugal)
The mild hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure, photoluminescence properties and emission quantum yield of a new sodium zirconium germanate are reported. This material and the method for its preparation represent for the first time a germanium garnet-type material synthesized at autogenous pressure and temperature at 230 Degree-Sign C. The crystal structure was determined by starting from the crystallographic parameters of a common garnet structure and it represents not only a new chemical combination of atoms but also combination of oxidation states in garnet structure. The framework consists of interconnected corner sharing GeO{sub 4} tetrahedra and ZrO{sub 6} octahedra which form small cavities that accommodate charge compensation Na{sup +} cations. In the course of synthesis the structure can be functionalized by in situ doping with different percentage of Eu{sup 3+} ions. This structural flexibility is used to explore the photoluminescent behavior of the active centers embedded in garnet-type host. The materials display the Eu{sup 3+5}D{sub 0}{yields}{sup 7}F{sub 0-4} transitions under excitation via intra-{sup 4}f{sub 6} excitation levels and through the O{sup 2-}{yields}Eu{sup 3+} ligand-to-metal charge transfer. A maximum {sup 5}D{sub 0} quantum efficiency and emission quantum yield values (ca. 0.28 and 0.04{+-}0.01, respectively) were found for the low Eu{sup 3+}-containing sample, suggesting the presence of concentration quenching effects at higher Eu{sup 3+}-content (5%). - Graphical abstract: Na{sub 3}Zr{sub 1.8}Ge{sub 3}O{sub 10}(OH){sub 2} prepared at mild hydrothermal conditions. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer New zirconogermanate with garnet-type structure. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hydrothermal synthesis. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Crystal structure. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Photoluminescent properties.
OSTI ID:
22012119
Journal Information:
Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Solid State Chemistry Vol. . 190; ISSN 0022-4596; ISSN JSSCBI
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English