Structural properties of europia-doped-gadolinia synthesized through aerosol

High purity europium-doped gadolinia (Gd2O3:Eu3+) have been prepared using spray pyrolysis technique yielding nanostructured non-agglomerated particles with spherical morphology. Comparative microstructural analysis was done for different europium concentrations. The particle homogeneity, crystallization and nanostructure development were analyzed using XRD, TEM-HRTEM and EFTEM. The existence of two different cubic phases has been identified in as-prepared samples: a bcc (SG Ia3) and a fcc (Fm-3m). After the thermal treatment only the cubic Ia3 phase has been observed with the cell parameters affected with Eu3+ doping concentration and temperature, followed with progressive increase in crystallite size.