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EPR investigations of Gd/sup 3 +/ in single crystals and powders of the zircon--structure orthophosphates YPO/sub 4/, ScPO/sub 4/, and LuPO/sub 4/

Journal Article · · J. Chem. Phys.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5201174

The tetragonal xenotime (YPO/sub 4/) and monoclinic monazite (CePO/sub 4/) orthophosphates are known to be chemically and physically stable in geological environments and are also radiation resistant. For these reasons, materials of this type are currently candidates for the primary containment of radioactive actinide solid wastes. Single crystals of the tetragonal orthophosphates YPO/sub 4/, ScPO/sub 4/, and LuPO/sub 4/ doped with Gd/sup 3 +/ were grown by slowly cooling a Pb/sub 2/P/sub 2/O/sub 7/ flux. Finely divided (<0.1 ..mu..), rare-earth-doped powders of these materials were also prepared using a technique of precipitation in molten urea. Electron paramagnetic resonance investigations have shown that the Gd/sup 3 +/ impurities occupy identical substitutional sites in both single crystal and powder specimens of the tetragonal-symmetry orthophosphates. These results provide a basis for future investigations of the effects of heavy-particle radiation damage in the lanthanide orthophosphates.

Research Organization:
Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
OSTI ID:
5201174
Journal Information:
J. Chem. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 73:3; ISSN JCPSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English