Luminescence of BaCl2:Eu2+ particles dispersed in the NaCl host excited by synchrotron radiation

BaCl2:Eu2+ microcrystals embedded in the NaCl host have been obtained in the NaCl–BaCl2(1mol%)–EuCl3(0.02mol%) crystalline system. The influence of the annealing conditions on the formation of such particles has been studied. In particular, long-term annealing (at 200°С during 100h) promotes the microcrystals formation in the NaCl–BaCl2–Eu crystalline system. The subsequent heat treatment (annealed at 600°С during 72h and quenched to room temperature) is shown to lead to the destruction of the majority of these particles. The luminescent-kinetic properties of BaCl2:Eu2+ microcrystals have been studied upon the ultra-violet excitation by the synchrotron radiation. The X-ray excited luminescence has been measured in order to estimate the distribution of europium ions between microcrystals and the NaCl host. The excitation mechanisms of Eu2+ ions in the NaCl–BaCl2–Eu crystalline system are discussed. ► The formation of BaCl2:Еu2+ microcrystals of 1–100μm size embedded in the NaCl host is revealed. ► Annealing at 600°C leads to the destruction of significant number of embedded microcrystals. ► The luminescent parameters of microcrystals is similar to ones of single crystal analogs.