Praseodymium ion, Pr3+ doped Gd2
O2
S nanophosphors were successfully synthesized via gamma irradiation route
along with the heat treatment. The effect of the gamma irradiation (0-150 kGy) on the structural, morphology and
photoluminescence properties of Gd2
O2
S:Pr3+ were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning
electron microscope (FESEM) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The thermal properties of precursor sample
were tested by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The chemical bonding of
the precursor samples were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The XRD result confirmed the
formation of hexagonal phase of Gd2
O2
S:Pr3+ without the presence of any impurities. The FESEM inspection showed the
non-symmetrical shape of particles transformed into grain-like shape. The optimum photoluminescence (PL) emission
intensities of Gd2-xO2
S:xPr3+ occur at 50 kGy dose of gamma irradiation and 2 mol% concentration dopant of Pr3+ ions.
The spectra under 325 nm UV excitation shows a strong green emission at 515 nm, which match the 3
P0 → 3
H4
transition
of Pr3+ ions. The Gd2
O2
S:Pr3+ nanophosphors possessed many useful approaches in various applications mainly as
radiation detection and biomedical diagnostic.