Effect of Gd2O3 concentration on X-rays induced and photoluminescence characteristics of Eu3+ - Activated Gd2O3–B2O3 glass

Highlights: • Gadolinium borate binary glasses doped with Eu³⁺ ions were synthesized. • The emission ⁵D₀ .→ ⁷F₀ (582 nm), ⁷F₁ (591 nm), ⁷F₂ (616 nm), ⁷F₃ (654 nm) and ⁷F₄ (702 nm) observed. • Phonon sideband observed for Gadolinium borate binary glasses doped with Eu³⁺ glasses. • Decay time of GdBEu luminescence decreased with increase of Gd₂O₃. Gd³⁺ doped borate glass samples with compositions of xGd₂O₃-(99-x)B₂O₃–1Eu₂O₃; (x = 20, 25, 30 and 35 mol%) (GdBEu) have been synthesized by melt-quenching method at 1400 °C for 3 h. GdBEu glasses characteristics have been determined via FTIR, absorption, emission (X-rays and UV excitation), and CIE color coordinates analysis. The GdBEu glasses presented density increase and molar volume decrease with Gd³⁺ ions. Ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray excitation have been indicated performance as well as luminescent properties of Gd₂O₃ doped glass structure. The ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₀ (582 nm), ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ (591 nm), ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ (616 nm), ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₃ (654 nm) and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₄ (702 nm) were found at 275 nm and 394 nm excitations. The energy transfer phenomena from Gd³⁺→ Eu³⁺ in these glasses were observed. Intense reddish-orange emission were observed at 613 nm, which associated by energy transfer phenomena from Gd³⁺→ Eu³⁺ states in these glasses. The phonon sideband (PSB) and pure electronic transition (PET) were measured and calculated ponon energy of glasses. Decay time of GdBEu luminescence decreased with increase of Gd₂O₃ concentration. The Commission Internationale de l'Elcairage (CIE) color coordinates of GdBEu glasses displayed in reddish-orange region. X-rays induced luminescence presented 12% photon emission of GdBEu glasses comparing with BGO scintillation crystal.