Preparation and characterization of Lu2SiO5:Ce3+ luminescent ceramic fibers via electrospinning

Cerium-doped lutetium oxyorthosilicate (Lu2SiO5:Ce3+, or shortly LSO:Ce) luminescent ceramic fibers were synthesized by the sol–gel process followed with electrospinning in the present research. Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) was used as a spinnable carrier and anhydrous system availed the efficient generation of the composite fibers. The phase of Lu2SiO5 starts to appear at 1100 °C based on XRD analysis. After annealed at 1200 °C for 4 h, all samples with different cerium doping concentrations show a pure phase of LSO with a well-crystallized structure. The annealed samples retain smooth surfaces and uniform morphologies. LSO:Ce fibers thus prepared exhibit a strong emission peak located at about 403 nm, corresponding to the Ce3+ 5d1→4 f1 transitions. LSO:1%Ce fibers exhibit the most intense emission among the samples doped with different cerium concentrations, which also present a much stronger emission than that of LSO:1%Ce powders. X-ray excited luminescence (XEL) spectrum shows that LSO:Ce fibers present a considerable scintillation property as well. Short decay time trait was also observed in LSO:Ce fibers due to their microscopic defects at grain boundaries and surfaces.