Dose enhancing behavior of hydrothermally grown Eu-doped SnO2 nanoparticles

Hydrothermally grown SnO2 and SnO2:Eu nanoparticles of 4–11 nm size range were analyzed by photoluminescence (PL) and therrmoluminescence (TL) spectroscopy to study the effect of Eu-doping on their emission behaviors. It has been observed that most of the incorporated Eu3+ ions remain at the interstitial sites of SnO2 lattice. High Eu-contents in the nanoparticles generate lattice deformation, formation of Eu3+/Eu0 clusters at interstitial sites, or segregation to their surfaces. Formation of Eu clusters at interstitial sites enhances electronic defect density in the crystal lattice, reorganizes carrier trapping centers, and modifies their activation energies. Room temperature PL emission and beta-irradiated TL dose response of SnO2 nanoparticles enhance significantly when doped with 0.5 and 1.0 mol. % nominal of Eu3+, respectively, opening up their possibilities of applications in bio-imaging and radiation therapy. Possible mechanisms of enhanced PL and TL responses of the samples have been discussed.