Characterization of luminescent samarium doped HfO₂coatings synthesized by spray pyrolysis technique

Abstract

Trivalent samarium (Sm3+) doped hafnium oxide (HfO2) films were deposited using the spray pyrolysis deposition technique. The films were deposited on Corning glass substrates at temperatures ranging from 300 to 550 °C using chlorides as raw materials. Films, mostly amorphous, were obtained when deposition temperatures were below 350 °C. However, for temperatures higher than 400 °C, the films became polycrystalline, presenting the HfO2 monoclinic phase. Scanning electron microscopy of the films revealed a rough surface morphology with spherical particles. Also, electron energy dispersive analysis was performed on these films. The photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence characteristics of the HfO2 : SmCl3 films, measured at room temperature, exhibited four main bands centred at 570, 610, 652 and 716 nm, which are due to the well-known intra-4f transitions of the Sm3+ ion. It was found that the overall emission intensity rose as the deposition temperature was increased. Furthermore, a concentration quenching of the luminescence intensity was also observed.

Blue-yellow photoluminescence from Ce3+→Dy3+ energy transfer in HfO2:Ce3+:Dy3+ films deposited by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

“…HfO 2 can also be used for protective coatings due its thermal stability and hardness near to diamond in its tetragonal phase [20]. The large energy gap and low phonon frequencies of the HfO 2 [21] makes it appropriate as host material to incorporate rare earth ions, such as Ce 3+ [22], Er 3+ [23], Tb 3+ [24] and Eu 3+ [25], as well as Mn 2+ [26] and Sm 3+ [27] ions, which emit within their own energy levels.…”

Spray Pyrolysis Technique; High-K Dielectric Films and Luminescent Materials: A Review

“…The PL and CL characteristics of HfO 2 :Sm 3+ films were published in 2008 [86]. These films were deposited by the USP technique on Corning glass substrates at deposition temperatures ranging from 300 to 550 °C using chlorides as precursor materials.…”

Mass spectrometric study of ceramics in the Sm2O3‐ZrO2‐HfO2 system at high temperatures

“…Combinations of zirconia and rare earth oxides are considered as promising cladding ceramics for nuclear fuels 9 as well as host materials for immobilization of nuclear waste, owing to their capacity to form solid solutions with actinoids 16–18 . Thirdly, systems based on samaria, zirconia, and hafnia have been studied for the development of gas and humidity sensors in corrosive environments 19–21 as well as luminescent coatings 20 . Moreover, the electrochemical properties of the systems under consideration should be mentioned, with samaria‐containing materials being promising for application in solid oxide fuel cells as electrolytes or electrodes 22,23 .…”