Research Article - (2011) Volume 2, Issue 2

Optical absorption and Photoluminescence studies in Gamma-irradiated nanocrystalline CaF2

C Pandu Rangappa1* and B.N. Lakshminarasappa2
1Department of Physics, RNS Institute of Technology, Channasandra, Bangalore-560061, India
2Department of Physics, Jnanabharathi Campus, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560056, India
*Corresponding Author: C Pandu Rangappa, RNS Institute of Technology Bangalore, Karnataka, India Email: ,

Abstract

Calcium fluoride (CaF2) nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, optical absorption (OA) and photoluminescence (PL) studies on gamma irradiated (?-rayed) CaF2 nanoparticles were carried out. The XRD patterns confirmed the cubic crystallinity of the samples and the particle size was found to be ?25 nm. The purity of the synthesized nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR spectrum. The morphological features studied using SEM revealed the agglomerated and porous nature of nanoparticles. ?-rayed CaF2 nanoparticles showed a prominent absorption with a peak at ?360 nm besides three weak but well separated absorptions at ? 267, 442 and 510 nm. The various defect centers responsible for the absorption peaks were identified. The PL studies of samples showed strong emissions at ?396 nm and 425 nm. The observed PL emissions are attributed to defects created in nanocrystalline CaF2.

Keywords: Synthesis; Nanoparticles; Scanning electron microscopy; Optical absorption; Photoluminescence

Introduction

The strong interest in nanotechnology stems from the concept that structures may be designed and built that exhibit superior electrical, mechanical, chemical or optical properties compared to the materials we know today. Some of the key issues in using nanoscale materials include the location, distribution of trapping centers, electron-phonon interactions and the potential for energy transfer to a luminescent center in a nanostructure. Many of the preparation methods of nanoparticles can be modified to create nanostructured films and nanocomposites, although some types of nanostructures require completely novel approaches [1-5].

Fluorides have attractive structural and optical characteristics. One of the fluorides with wide band gap and large scale transparency is Calcium fluoride (CaF2). It is well established that when CaF2 crystals are irradiated with high energetic radiations such as Gamma, X-ray, elecrtron beam, ion beam they generate defects and give rise to color centers. These centers can be identified from various experimental techniques like OA, PL and TL. Literature reveals that irradiation effects on nanocrystalline CaF2 are limited. The defects studies in CaF2 nanocrystals are rare. Hence, the aim of the present work is to irradiate synthesized and characterized (XRD, FTIR, SEM) CaF2 nanoparticles by γ-rays and to study the defects created by OA and PL techniques.

Experimental

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and ammonium fluoride (NH4F) were added into the conical flask in stoichiometric quantities and the mixture was dissolved in 100 ml distilled water. The mixture was stirred constantly for 2 hours using a magnetic stirrer. The transparent reaction mixture transformed into opaque white suspension gradually. The stirred solution was centrifuged for 10 minutes at 5000 rpm and a white residue was obtained. The residue was washed thoroughly with ethanol and the product was extracted on to a ceramic dish and dried slowly on a sand bath.

The structure of the synthesized samples was confirmed by XRD measurements using Philips X-pert PRO powder diffractometer with Cu-Kα radiation (λ=1.54056Å) in the scan range 10-90° at a low speed of ∼1° /minute. The morphology of synthesized samples was studied using scanning electron microscopy (JEOL JSM-840A) by sputtering technique with gold as covering contrast material. The FTIR spectrum was recorded using Nicolet Magna 550 spectrometer with KBr pellets in the range 400 - 4000 cm-1. The samples were exposed to γ-rays from a Co60 source with an activity 3.89 KGy/hr for doses in the range 0.0324- 15.56 KGy. The Optical absorption measurements of the γ-rayed samples were carried out in the wavelength range 200-900 nm using V-570 UV/VIS/NIR double beam spectrophotometer by dispersing the samples in liquid paraffin (nuzol). The PL emission spectra of the γ-rayed samples was recorded at room temperature using a Fluorolog 3 Jobin Yvon spectrofluoremeter (FL3-11) equipped with a 450W Xenon lamp as the excitation source.

Results and Discussion

PXRD, SEM and FTIR

Figure 1 shows the PXRD pattern of nanocrystalline CaF2. The pattern reveals cubic phase of the fluorite type structure (JCPDS Card no. 87-0971) [6]. The displayed peaks correspond to values (1 1 1), (2 2 0), (3 1 1), (4 0 0), (3 1 1) and (4 2 2). The results match well with literature [7,8].Using the values the lattice constant (a) of the sample was calculated. The average value of lattice constant was found to be a=5.454Å which is in good agreement with literature value a= 5.4355Å [9]. The XRD pattern presents broad peaks revealing the small crystallite size of the synthesized samples. The crystallite size was calculated from the full width at half maximum (FWHM) technique using Scherer's formula D=Kλ/ (β cosθ) where K is the constant (0.99), λ is the wavelength of Cu-Kα (1.54Å) line, β is the FWHM and θ is the diffraction angle. The average crystallite size of nanoparticles was found to be ∼25 nm. It is observed that the PXRD pattern of 500°C heat treated samples was similar to that of as prepared one but with slight increase in intensity. This indicates that 500°C heat treatment does not reveal any structural changes in the nanocrystalline CaF2. However, the crystallite size was found to be increased to 32 nm. Thus heat treatment of the synthesized samples causes agglomeration of nanoparticles.

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Figure 1: Powder XRD spectrum pure nanocrystalline CaF2.

The SEM picture of as prepared nanocrystalline CaF2 is shown in Figure 2. The SEM results reveal the morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles. The as prepared nanopowder is agglomerated with polycrystalline nanoparticles. The agglomeration ranged from few microns to a few tens of microns. The SEM picture shows that CaF2 nanoparticles have many voids and are fluffy and porous. The larger particles exhibited numerous spherical perturbances on the surface, suggesting that they were formed during the precipitation process through fusion of the smaller particles.

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Figure 2: SEM pictures of pure nanocrystalline CaF2.

FTIR spectrum was measured to check the purity of the synthesized powder. Figure 3 shows the FTIR spectrum of as prepared CaF2 nanoparticles. The spectrum shows two strong IR absorption bands at ∼3400 and 1550 cm-1. They are characteristic of H-O-H bending of the H2O molecules. This reveals the presence hydroxyl groups in the as prepared sample [10]. The fundamental frequency at ∼364 cm-1 arises due to hindered rotations of the hydroxyl ions [11]. The band at ∼2357 cm-1 is due to KBr pellets used for recording FTIR spectrum. The FTIR pattern of 500°C heat treated samples showed decrease in the absorption of each band. The decrease in absorption of the ∼3419 and 1555 cm-1 bands on heating could be attributed to the release of water molecules trapped inside the solid matrix.

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Figure 3: FTIR Spectra of pure nanocrystalline CaF2.

Optical absorption studies

The optical absorption spectrum of pristine and γ-rayed pure CaF2 nanocrystals is shown in Figure 4. The pristine sample showed a weak absorption band at ∼370 nm. The γ-rayed CaF2 nanocrystals showed a prominent absorption at ∼360 nm besides three weak ones at ∼ 267, 442 and 510 nm. The optical absorption increased marginally with increase in γ-dose, but the peak positions were unaltered with increase in γ-dose. The origine of the absorption bands can be explained in the following way. It is well established that nanoscale materials have large surface to volume ratio. This results in the formation of voids on the surface as well inside the agglomerated nanoparticles. Such voids can cause fundamental absorption in the UV wavelength range [12]. Also, surfaces of nanoparticles are well known to comprise of several defects such as Schottky or Frenkel which result in absorption of light by nanocrystals. Xiaoming Zhang et al. have reported similar absorption bands in CaF2 nanoparticles in the wavelength range 260-320 nm and attributed them to surface defects [13]. Thus the absorption bands at 267 nm in the present study may be attributed to surface defects such as Schottky or Frenkel in nanocrystalline CaF2.

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Figure 4: Optical absorption spectrum of γ-rayed pure nanocrystalline CaF2.

It is well established that when CaF2 single crystals are γ-rayed F-centers are formed at room temperature. The F-center consists of an electron trapped at fluorine vacancy. -irradiation produces free electrons which when get trapped at negative ion vacancies form the F-centres. Literature reveals that irradiated CaF2 crystals exhibit the fundamental absorption at 375 nm and it is attributed to F-center [14-16]. Considerable deviations in the coloration spectra are reported for samples studied by different workers depending upon the nature of impurities, method of preparation and other varying factors. Based on this discussion the absorption band at 360 nm in the present study is attributed to F-center generated during γ-irradiation.

During γ-irradiation, there will be diffusion of fluorine ions resulting in the fluorine vacancies. Some fluorine may occupy interstitial sites as neutral atoms or molecules. The creation of fluorine vacancies in calcium fluoride is accompanied by the formation of fluorine-rich defects such as H centers. The H center is a F2 - ion occupying a fluorine lattice site. The absorption band of H center in CaF2 single crystals lies in the wavelength range 440-460 nm [17]. Hence, the 442 nm absorption band in the present case may be attributed to H center.

It is reported that at room temperature, the thermal diffusion and mobility of F and H centers in CaF2 promotes aggregation of nanoparticles, which consequently grow larger and absorb strongly at ∼ 520 nm [18]. Thus the band at 510 nm is attributed to Mie absorption of the nanoparticles [19]. These results indicate that defects are created in nanocrystalline CaF2 similar to that of bulk on their exposure to gamma radiations. However, the number of defects created and their response to γ-dose is different.

Photoluminescence studies

Figure 5 shows the PL emission spectrum of the CaF2 nanoparticles. A strong emission peak at ∼396 nm was observed when the samples were excited at 265 nm. However, when the crystals were excited at 360 nm a strong emission was observed at ∼ 425 nm (Figure 6). The PL intensity increased with dose till 3.89 KGy and decreased with further increase in dose.

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Figure 5: Photoluminescence spectrum of γ-rayed pure nanocrystalline CaF2 under 265 nm excitation.

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Figure 6: Photoluminescence spectrum of γ-rayed pure nanocrystalline CaF2 under 360 nm excitation.

Major sources of luminescence in crystalline CaF2 are the selftrapped exciton (STE), F and F-aggregate centers created by irradiation. It is well established that irradiation of CaF2 leads to the formation of F and F-aggregate centers in it. F-center has an absorption peak in the range 360-380 nm. When the sample containing F-centers is excited with UV light, due to electronic transitions in the sample, emission of light takes place and the energy absorbed by the defects gets released in the form of photons leading to PL emission. The PL emission at 396 nm is attributed to F-center formed during γ-irradiation [17]. X. Zhang etal. observed similar emission at ∼ 400 nm in nanocrystalline CaF2 and attributed them to the presence of electronic centers [13].

Under γ-irradiation STE are typically formed when a free electron is localized at a self-trapped hole. The resulting excitations can decay radioactively yielding a distinctive luminescence [20]. Many F-H center pairs produced by STE decay are promptly destroyed by recombination. The PL emission peak at 425nm is attributed to surface defects like STE [21].

Conclusions

CaF2 nanoparticles were synthesized successfully by co-precipitation method and the average particle size was found to be in the range 25 nm. The as prepared samples were agglomerated fluffy, porous and contain small traces water molecules. Heat treatment resulted in the release of water molecules and increase in particle size without any structural change. Optical absorption and Photoluminescence studies revealed the presence of number of defect centers in the γ-irradiated CaF2 nanoparticles.

References

Citation: Pandurangappa C, Lakshminarasappa BN (2011) Optical absorption and Photoluminescence studies in Gamma-irradiated nanocrystalline CaF2. J Nanomedic Nanotechnol 2:108.

Copyright: © 2011 Pandurangappa C, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.