Characterization of a Novel Zinc Phosphate – Germanate Oxide System Doped with Erbium Ions

Abstract

There is considerable interest in the discovery of new materials with applications in medicine. In this regard, a new germanium-zinc-phosphate oxide system with different contents of paramagnetic erbium ions was prepared and studied by X-ray diffraction and density and magnetic measurements. The structural and magnetic properties of the studied system were discussed as a function of the erbium ions content of samples. A crystalline ErPO₄ phase appeared in the system for concentrations exceeding 3 mol% Er₂O₃. This structural change influences the density and Poisson’s ratio values. The magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that the studied samples obey the Curie law.

Keywords:

• Density
• magnetic properties
• oxide system
• X-ray diffraction