Abstract
In this research, we report the cathodoluminescence (CL) and preliminary photoluminescence (PL) properties of praseodymium‐doped zinc aluminate powders. ZnAl~2~O~4~:Pr powders were synthesized by a very simple chemical process. X‐ray diffraction spectra indicated a cubic spinel crystalline structure with an average crystallite size of 15 nm. CL properties of the powders were studied as a function of the praseodymium concentration and electron‐accelerating potential. In this case, all the cathodoluminescent emission spectra showed main peaks located at 494, 535, 611, 646, and 733 nm, which were associated to the electronic transitions ^3^P~0~ → ^3^H~4~, ^3^P~0~ → ^3^H~5~, ^3^P~0~ → ^3^H~6~, ^3^P~0~ → ^3^F~2~, and ^3^P~0~ → ^3^F~4~ of the Pr^3+^ ions, respectively. A quenching of the CL, with increasing doping concentration, was observed. Also, an increment on cathodoluminescent emission intensity was observed as the accelerating voltage increased. The PL emission spectrum showed similar characteristics to those of the CL spectra. The chemical composition of the powders, as determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy, is also reported. In addition, the surface morphology characteristics of the powders are shown.