Preparation of a GdCaAl3O7 matrix by the non-hydrolytic sol–gel route

Due to their stable physical and chemical properties, inorganic matrices have been widely employed as hosts for lasers and phosphors. We have prepared a GdCaAl3O7 matrix by the non-hydrolytic sol–gel route and have investigated the influence of heating treatment on sample structure. Europium III chloride was added as a structural probe, and the structure was analyzed by thermal analyses (TG/DTA/DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL). The XRD analysis revealed that initial crystallization took place at 400 °C. The peaks corresponding to the GdCaAl3O7 and GdAlO3 phases were observed at 800 and 1000 °C. PL data revealed the characteristic transition bands arising from the 5D0→5FJ (J=0, 1, 2, 3, and 4) manifolds under maximum excitation at 275, 391 and 463 nm for all the samples. All the analyses gave evidence that this methodology leads to the formation of a GdCaAl3O7 phase.