Synthesis and Photoluminescence of γ-Al₂O₃ and C-doped γ-Al₂O₃ Powders

Abstract

The γ-Al₂O₃ and C-doped γ-Al₂O₃ powders have been synthesized by a modified polyacrylamide gel method. XRD, SEM and luminescence characterization have been used to study the prepared samples. The results indicate that the particle size and morphology of the samples depend on the choice of chelating agent. In comparison with pure γ-Al₂O₃ sample, the intensity of emission peak at 420 nm of C-doped γ-Al₂O₃ powders has been obviously enhanced, which is expected to widen the potential applications of C-doped γ-Al₂O₃ composite powders. The photoluminescence spectrum detected at λ_ex= 386 nm shows a new peak located at 440 nm due to oxygen vancancies distributed on the surface of the composite. Interestingly, the intensity of the emission peak located at 440 nm (C-doped γ-Al₂O₃) increases with the decrease of crystallite size.

Keywords:

• γ-Al₂O₃
• C-doped γ-Al₂O₃
• Chelating agent
• Emission peak