Mechanoluminescence, thermoluminescence and photoluminescence studies on Al2O3:Tb phosphors

Terbium activated Al2O3 phosphors were synthesized by combustion technique using hydrazine as a reductive non-carbonaceous fuel. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the samples were recorded to confirm the formation of the sample. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were taken to study the surface morphology of the sample. The photoluminescence (PL), thermoluminescence (TL) and mechanoluminescence (ML) properties of the γ-ray irradiated samples were studied. ML was excited impulsively by dropping a piston on the sample. In ML glow curves one peak with a shoulder was observed. ML intensity increases with activator concentration. Optimum ML was observed for the sample having 0.5 mol% of Tb ions. In the TL glow curve two distinct peaks, one around 222 °C and another around 280 °C, were observed for the samples having 0.5 mol% of activator concentration. In the PL spectra the 5D4→7F5 line at 544 nm in the green region is observed, which is the strongest in Al2O3 system. It is suggested that de-trapping of trapped charge carriers followed by recombination is responsible for ML and TL in this system.