# Photoluminescence and Scintillation Properties of Ce3+-Doped GdBO3 Nanoscintillator Sensors: Effect of Some Synthesis Parameters

## TL;DR

This study explores how synthesis conditions affect the optical and scintillation properties of Ce3+-doped GdBO3 nanoscintillators.

## Contribution

The paper provides a systematic analysis of how pH and annealing temperature influence the structural and luminescent properties of Ce3+-doped GdBO3.

## Key findings

- All samples crystallized in the hexagonal GdBO3 vaterite phase.
- PL quantum yield decreased at annealing temperatures above 800 °C due to Ce3+ lattice incorporation.
- Scintillation decay profiles revealed timing kinetics parameters for optimization.

## Abstract

Cerium (Ce3+)-doped gadolinium orthoborate (GdBO3) phosphor powders were synthesized via an aqueous sol–gel route, with systematic variation in solution pH (2, 5, and 8) and annealing temperature (600–1200 °C, in 100 °C increments) to investigate their influence on structural, optical, and scintillation properties. The materials were comprehensively characterized using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA) to assess thermal behavior, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystal structure determination, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for vibrational analysis, and both photoluminescence (PL) and radioluminescence (RL) spectroscopies to evaluate optical and scintillation performance. All samples crystallized in the hexagonal GdBO3 vaterite phase (space group P63/mcm). The PL and RL emission spectra were consistent with the Ce3+ 5d–4f transitions, and scintillation yields under X-ray excitation were quantified relative to a standard Gadox phosphor. A decrease in photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) was observed at annealing temperatures above 800 °C, which is attributed to the incorporation of Ce3+ into the host lattice. Scintillation decay profiles were recorded, enabling extraction of timing kinetics parameters. Overall, the results reveal clear correlations between synthesis conditions, structural evolution, and luminescence behavior, providing a rational basis for the optimization of Ce3+-doped GdBO3 phosphors for scintillation applications.