Single-phase nanopowders of Sr0.85-xBaxEu0.15F2.15: Investigation of structure and X-ray luminescent properties

Novel scintillating and visualizing materials are an essential part of the development of high-power X-ray sources like synchrotrons and free-electron lasers. One of the latest approaches is the formation of composite materials composed of X-ray luminescent nanoparticles in a robust transparent matrix with high thermal conductivity. Here, such Sr0.85-xBaxEu0.15F2.15 nanopowders with a particle size of approximate to 50 nm were synthesized by precipitation from aqueous solutions. Single-phase solid solutions are formed up to a barium concentration of 70 mol.%. The most intense luminescence band is the band of trivalent europium with a maximum at 590.4 nm, corresponding to the 5D0 -> 7F1 transition. The concentration dependence of the X-ray luminescence intensity on the barium content was revealed, and the most optimal composition Sr0.35Ba0.50Eu0.15F2.15 with the brightest luminescence response was determined. The obtained type of nanoparticles has potential applications for the fabrication of new scintillating and visualizing composites.