Structural and luminescent properties of YSZ-YSH based ceramics depending on Zr/Hf ratio

Samples of crystalline cubic phased ceramics based on (Zr1-хHfх)0.82Y0.17Eu0.01O1.91 with different contents of hafnium (х = 0; 0.21; 0.50; 0.77; 1) were synthesized. The synthesis conditions were chosen to avoid the possible formation of a minor tetragonal phase. The average grain size was 2–5 microns. The structural parameters of ceramics, their band gap, luminescent and thermoluminescent properties were studied depending on the hafnium content. It was shown that single-phase sample with calculated formula ((Zr0.77Hf0.23)0.82Y0.17Eu0.1)O1.91 demonstrated the highest cathodoluminescent intensity upon excitation by electrons. It was found that thermoluminescent properties of ceramics with hafnium content of х = 0.50–0.77 range are prospective for application in thermodosimetry. The highest luminescence yield was observed in such samples. [Display omitted] •YSZ-YSH ceramics form a solid solution over the entire concentration range.•Сeramics mainly consists of large grains (2–5 microns).•Samples with the ratio NHf/(NHf+NZr) from 0.2 to 0.8 has the highest quantum yield.•Samples with NHf/(NHf+NZr)= 0.50 and 0.77 have a dosimetric thermoluminescent peak.