Luminescence properties of barium – gadolinium–titanate ceramics doped with rare‐earth ions (Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ )

Barium‐gadolinium‐titanate (BaGd 2 Ti 4 O 12 ) powder ceramics doped with rare‐earth ions (Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ ) were synthesized by a solid‐state reaction method. From the X‐ray diffraction spectrum, it was observed that Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ :BaGd 2 Ti 4 O 12 powder ceramics are crystallized in the form of an orthorhombic structure. Scanning electron microscopy image shows that the particles are agglomerated and the particle size is about 200 nm. Eu 3+ ‐ and Tb 3+ ‐doped BaGd 2 Ti 4 O 12 powder ceramics were examined by energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence and thermoluminescence (TL) spectra. Emission spectra of Eu 3+ ‐doped BaGd 2 Ti 4 O 12 powder ceramics showed bright red emission at 613 nm ( 5 D 0  →  7 F 2 ) with an excitation wavelength λ exci  = 408 nm ( 7 F 0  →  5 D 3 ) and Tb 3+ :BaGd 2 Ti 4 O 12 ceramic powder has shown green emission at 534 nm ( 5 D 4  →  7 F 5 ) with an excitation wavelength λ exci  = 331 nm (( 7 F 6  →  5 D 1 ). TL spectra show that Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ ions affect TL sensitivity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.