Preparation and optical properties of BaFCl : Eu2+ X-ray storage phosphor

A new method for the preparation of BaFCl:Eu2+ has been developed. A coprec ipitation chemical reaction between BaCl2 and NaF acidified aqueous solutio n has been used. Doping with Eu2+ was carried out by adding EuF3 during pre paration time. A thermal treatment in vacuum similar to those used in the s intering process of supraconductive ceramics was used in order to accomplis h the chemical reaction and to improve the homogeneity of europium ion dist ribution. Finally, a fine powder consisting of microcrystalline, 4-5 mu m g rains was obtained. The product has been checked by X-ray diffractometry an d characterised by optical methods. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements att est the europium impurification and oxygen contamination during preparation , which has a great importance for the photostimulability properties of the compound. Photostimulated luminescence (PSL) of the X-irradiated samples s hows good performance as X-ray storage phosphor. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.