Preparation and Luminescence Properties of ${\rm Bi}_{4}{\rm Si}_{3}{\rm O}_{12}!:!{\rm Zn}$ Powders

Bi₄Si₃O₁₂:Zn²⁺(BSO:Zn) polycrystalline powders were successfully prepared by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction measurements confirm that the Zn²⁺-doped materials are all monophasic solid solution powders. The influences of doping concentration on the photoluminescence and radioluminescence characteristics have been investigated and discussed. The Zn²⁺ doped material shows a better light yield than that of undoped material under X-ray excitation. The fluorescence decay time of the optimal material, excited by UV has been aslso measured. The results show that the Zn²⁺ ion doping has a positive effect on the light yield of BSO. But the crystal growth and characterizations of BSO:Zn polycrystalline powders prepared deserve further investigations.