Ultraviolet B radiation from Gd3+ doped Sr3P4O13: Photoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance and evaluation of shielding parameters

A series of ultraviolet B (UVB, 280–315 nm) radiation emitting Gd doped Sr3P4O13 was synthesized using the co-precipitation method. Formation of products was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis, while scanning electron microscope was employed to investigate the morphology of the prepared product. The emission spectra of the prepared samples were recorded at 272 nm excitation wavelength with different Gd3+ concentrations (0.005–0.15 mol). Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the Gd3+ doped samples showed the substitution of Sr2+ sites by Gd3+ ions with lower symmetry at X-band frequency. Shielding parameters for all the un-doped and Gd doped Sr3P4O13 samples were determined in the range 1 keV–100 GeV photon energy. These photon interaction parameters vary with the compositions and the photon energy. These parameters were found to be maximum for the gadolinium concentration 0.15 mol. The current investigation and obtained results would be helpful for shielding evaluation of radioactive waste containment in the nuclear fuel cycle. •The new UVB-emitting Gd3+ doped Sr3P4O13 prepared by co-precipitation method.•PL results indicated that band at 312 nm could be useful for phototherapy application.•EPR spectra showed that Gd3+ ions occupy Sr2+ sites with lower symmetry.•Existence of Gd3+ in the Sr3P4O13 matrix was confirmed by PL and EPR experiments.•Sr3P4O13 show increase in Gd3+ content improves the shielding effectiveness.