Sol-Gel Synthesis of Gd2O3:Nd3+ Nanopowders and the Study of Their Luminescent Properties

Abstract

The synthesis of gadolinium oxide nanopowders doped with neodymium (Gd2O3:Nd3+) 30 nm in size was carried out using the citrate sol-gel method that included the simultaneous stabilization of nanoparticles using citric acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). This study proposes and assesses a sol-gel synthesis process that involves the use of two different organic stabilizers with different thermal stabilities. Citric acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone were used as organic modifying components, playing a double role in the synthesis process, that is, acting as stabilizers of forming nanoparticles in colloidal solutions and serving as fuel additives in the process of heat treatment of materials. The structural and optical properties of Gd2O3:Nd3+ were investigated using photoluminescence, FTIR spectroscopy, DTA/TG, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and XRD analysis.