Eu 3+ as a structural probe in yttrium silicates through photoluminescence emission spectra

Abstract This work presents the first steps in using Eu 3+ as a structural probe using photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra. The sol–gel synthesis of four Eu 3+ ‐doped powders encompassing seven phases of the yttrium silicate phase system is detailed. Following heat treatment at 1100 and 1400°C, the powders were then interrogated using x‐ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, electron dispersive spectroscopy, and thermal analysis techniques. The following Eu 3+ ‐doped phases were identified and assigned in the PL‐emission spectra: cubic Y 2 O 3 ; X1‐Y 2 SiO 5 ; X2‐Y 2 SiO 5 ; Y 4.67 (SiO 4 ) 3 O and the α, β, and y polymorphs of Y 2 Si 2 O 7 . A validation of the assigned peak database is achieved through the prediction of the major and minor phases present in an Eu 3+ ‐doped yttrium disilicate powder synthesized through coprecipitation synthesis from its PL‐emission spectra alone, with outputs corroborated through XRD analysis.