BaHfO3:Ce sintered ceramic scintillators

Raw powders of BaHfO3:Ce were prepared with modified Pechini process and were calcined in the 650-1700 oC range of temperatures, at different atmospheres - air, vacuum and nitrogen-hydrogen mixture. The powders were converted into sintered ceramics by vacuum sintering. The materials were characterized by XRD, TEM, photoluminescence and radioluminescence spectroscopy. UV-VUV excitation spectra were recorded using synchrotron radiation. Excitation spectra proved that atmosphere of preparation significantly influences the host-to-activator energy transfer, which is the most efficient for materials made in reducing conditions. Also radioluminescence efficacy was found to be superior for materials prepared in such conditions.