Growth of nano and meso structured scintillator crystals of (BaZrHfO₃) by microwave

Full text: The Barium Zirconate (BaZrO₃), is a ceramic oxide belonging to the functional group of perovskites (ABO₃), this compound can be doped with Hafniun (Hf) in solid solution by microwave assisted hydrothermal method (MAH) radioluminescent increases their properties. This method allows to obtain barium zirconate at low temperature as 140 deg C and short times as 160 minutes. The choice of Hafnium (Hf) as a dopant is based on its similarity with Zirconium (Zr), another good reason for this choice is that the Hafnium has intrinsic luminescent characteristics. In general, radioluminescent materials have high density and high atomic mass (atomic number of Hafnium is 72), thereby facilitating the absorption of ionizing radiation to convert it into visible light, this characteristic is strongly dependent on the morphology and especially the electronic structure of (BaZrO₃). This work consisted in production of barium zirconate powders doped 1-2-4-8-16% (Hf) using (MAH) method. After the electronic and structural characterization the powders were introduced in a polymeric resin (naylon-BZO). For the characterization of the powders was employed methods: a) Xray diffraction, b) Raman Spectroscopy, c) Xanes, d) photoluminescence spectroscopy. After the electronic and structural characterization the powders were introduced in a polymeric resin (naylonBZO), one new characterizations will be performed to validate the results obtained in the production of films to the results already obtained for the powders. We conclude so far, that the powders doped with 16% Hf has an intense luminescent emission compared to the powders with less concentration of Hf. The small structural change that causes the Hf in (BZO) is considered as a secondary factory. References: MOREIRA M.L., ANDRÉS J., LONGO V.M., VARELA J.A., LONGO E. On the Reversed Crystal Growth of BaZrO₃ Deca octahedron: Shape Evolution and Mechanics. CrystEngComm (2011), 13, 5818. (author)