Effect of electron beam irradiation on the magnetic, thermal and luminescence properties of various oxide metal nanopowders

Magnetic nanopowders of oxides Al2O3, SiO2, CeO2 and YSZ (ZrO2-8% Y2O3) with a high specific surface area irradiated in air by electrons with energy of 700 keV, pulse duration 100 ns, using the repetitively pulsed accelerator URT-1 within 15 and 30 min. The magnetic, thermal, and cathode luminescence characteristics of NPs were measured before and after irradiation. It was established that the electron irradiation non-monotonically changes the magnetization of the pristine samples. On the contrary, a clear correlation between the intensity of cathode luminescence and the irradiation dose is found in the most of the oxides. Thermal stability and phase transformations of unirradiated and irradiated CeO2 and YSZ oxides were analyzed with the aid of synchronous analysis, using the methods of thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The luminescent and thermal properties reflect the transformation of structural defects in NPs more strongly after exposure to a pulsed electron beam in comparison with corresponding changes of the NP's magnetic response. [Display omitted] •Nanopowders (NPs) of various oxides were irradiated in air by 700 keV electrons.•The magnetic, thermal and luminescence properties of the NPs were measured.•The luminescent and thermal properties reflect the transformation of defects in NPs most strongly.