Cathodoluminescence characterization of polystyrene-BaZrO3 hybrid composites

Abstract

The radiation properties and the electronic structure of hybrid composites based on suspension polystyrene (PS) and nanocrystals of BaZrO 3 (BZO) (d < 50 nm) have been studied using luminescent spectroscopy and x-ray analysis. A strong cathodoluminescence (CL) in BZO-nanocrystals is observed in temperature range 80-293 K. It is modified in BZO-PS composites: both the low-and a high-energy bands (near 4 eV) appear, together with a significant reduction in the CL intensity. A decrease of the lattice parameter а for BZO phase in the composite and the modification of CL spectra indicate for changes in the nanocrystalline structure induced by the polymer.

Low-temperature radiation effects in wide gap materials

“…New materials, such as the ScF 3 single crystals with negative-expansion [5], the Er 3+ -doped LaInO 3 providing upconversion luminescence [8] as well as BaZrO 3 -based polysterene-perovskite hybrid composites [13] are also studied and reported in the present issue. Besides many conventional experimental methods, such as optical absorption, luminescence, magnetic resonance, etc.…”

“…The ratio between radiative and non-radiative channels of energy dissipation channels depends on many factors and determines the prospects of the material application for certain purposes. As the radiation damage limits many of these applications, the elucidation of the mechanisms of structural defect creation and their possible attenuation/suppression in wide gap materials are of increasing importance.One review article and 13 regular research papers cover a broad class of wide gap materials, starting from model single alkali halide crystals, both pure and doped [1,3,9,11] [13]. The comprehensive review of the relaxation of the electronic excitations and luminescence of rutile-structured SiO 2 and GeO2 crystals and their detailed comparison with α-quartz crystals and relevant glasses was given in paper [6].…”

“…One review article and 13 regular research papers cover a broad class of wide gap materials, starting from model single alkali halide crystals, both pure and doped [1,3,9,11] [13]. The comprehensive review of the relaxation of the electronic excitations and luminescence of rutile-structured SiO 2 and GeO2 crystals and their detailed comparison with α-quartz crystals and relevant glasses was given in paper [6].…”

“…One review article and 13 regular research papers cover a broad class of wide gap materials, starting from model single alkali halide crystals, both pure and doped [1,3,9,11], widely used for different applications pure and doped CaF 2 and BaF 2 alkali-earth halides [1], rutilestructured SiO 2 and GeO 2 crystals and glasses [6] or CdI 2 layered crystals [12] to less studied tungstate NiWO 4 [2,4] and lastly, perovskites BaLiF 3 [1] and BaZrO 3 [13]. The comprehensive review of the relaxation of the electronic excitations and luminescence of rutile-structured SiO 2 and GeO2 crystals and their detailed comparison with α-quartz crystals and relevant glasses was given in paper [6].…”

“…Besides many conventional experimental methods, such as optical absorption, luminescence, magnetic resonance, etc. [1,6,[8][9][10]12,13], the opportunities of synchrotron radiation techniques are also demonstrated for NaCl crystals and NiWO4 tungstates using both VUV [2,3] and IR [4] light beams. The use of nuclear reactor for the creation of novel radiation-defect-induced jewellery colors of minerals, such as agate (SiO 2 ), topaz (Al 2 [SiO 4 ](F,OH) 2 ), beryl (Be 3 Al 2 Si6O 18 ) and prehnite (Ca 2 Al(AlSi 3 O 10 )(OH) 2 ) doped with different concentration of transition metal ions was review by Mironova-Ulmane et al [10].…”