Far‐Red‐Emitting BiOCl:Eu3+ Phosphor with Excellent Broadband NUV‐Excitation for White‐Light‐Emitting Diodes

Rare‐earth ion‐doped semiconducting phosphor has attracted extensive attention due to the ability to achieve efficient luminescence through the host sensitization. Here, we present a new type red‐emitting Eu³⁺ ‐doped BiOCl phosphors possessing a broad excitation band in the near‐ultraviolet (NUV) region. Experimental measurements and theoretical calculations confirm that Eu³⁺ ion dopants result in forming impurity energy level near valence band, and the excellent broadband NUV‐exciting ability of Eu³⁺ ion is due to the electronic transitions of BiOCl band gap. Moreover, the highest emission intensity of the phosphors is from the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₄ transition of Eu³⁺ around 699 nm (far‐red) through whether host excitation or direct Eu³⁺ ions excitation, which lie in the particular structure of BiOCl crystals. Our results indicate that the Eu³⁺ ‐doped BiOCl crystals show great potential as red phosphors for white‐light‐emitting diodes.     

Investigation of optical properties: Eu with Al codoping in aluminum silicate glasses and glass‐ceramics

Eu‐doped transparent oxyfluoride aluminosilicate glass was prepared by controlling with Al codoping of melt‐quenched glass fabricated under air atmosphere. In the presence of Al input, the photoluminescence emission spectra under 393 nm excitation shows a blue shift by adjusting the ratio of Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺. After heat treatment of glass, the ratio of Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ of luminescence emission were changed by controlling treatment temperature. The PL intensity of Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions in the glass‐ceramics (GC) was much stronger than in the precursor glass (PG). The possible mechanism responsible for color tuneability of the ratio of Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ doped was discussed.     

Energy transfer to Eu(III) in the solid‐state low‐density polyethylene–poly(acrylic acid) and low‐density polyethylene–Fe2O3–poly(acrylic acid) matrices

Ion exchange between H⁺ and Eu³⁺ and/or Tb³⁺ was studied in the material modified by in situ sorption and thermal polymerization of acrylic acid in low‐density polyethylene (LDPE–PAA) and in the composite system LDPE–Fe₂O₃–PAA. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed evidence of Eu³⁺ and/or Tb³⁺ ion exchanges in these materials. The matrix LDPE–PAA after Eu(III) ion exchange presented luminescence (excitation 265 nm). This was explained by an energy‐transfer process from the matrix LDPE–PAA to Eu³⁺ ions. The LDPE–PAA matrix after simultaneous Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ ion exchange exhibited Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ion luminescence (excitation 265 nm), confirming an energy‐transfer process from LDPE–PAA to Eu³⁺ ions in LDPE–PAA–Eu³⁺–Tb³⁺ matrix. Fe₂O₃ in LDPE–Fe₂O₃–PAA quenched the matrix for excitation at 265 nm and no emission at the region 400 nm was observed. The luminescence of Tb³⁺ ions in the matrix LDPE–Fe₂O₃–PAA–Tb³⁺ (excitation 265 nm) was partially quenched by Fe₂O₃. However, a weak emission of Eu³⁺ ions was observed (excitation 265 nm) in the matrix LDPE–Fe₂O₃–PAA after simultaneous Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ion exchanges, suggesting an energy transfer from Tb³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ions. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 919–931, 2000     

Synthesis,structural characterization,and photoluminescence properties of Eu3+‐doped Mg3‐xEux(BO3)2 phosphor

Eu³⁺‐doped Mg_3‐xEu_x(BO₃)₂ (x = 0.000, 0.005, 0.010, 0.020, 0.050, and 0.100) phosphors were synthesized for the first time by solution combustion synthesis method, which is a fast synthesis method for obtaining nano‐sized borate powders. The optimization of the synthesis conditions of phosphor materials was performed by TG/DTA method. These phosphors were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM‐EDX, and photoluminescence, PL analysis. The XRD analysis exhibited that all of the prepared ceramic compounds have been crystallized in orthorhombic structure with space group Pnnm. Also, the influence of europium dopant ions on unit cell parameters of host material was analyzed using Jana2006 program and the crystalline size was determined by Debye‐Scherrer's formula. The luminescence properties of all Eu³⁺‐doped samples were investigated by excitation and emission spectra. The excitation spectra of Mg_3‐xEu_x(BO₃)₂ phosphors show characteristic peak at 420 nm in addition to other characteristic peaks of Eu³⁺ under emission at 613 nm. The emission spectra of Eu³⁺‐doped samples indicated most intensive red emission band dominated at 630 nm belonging to ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ magnetic dipole transition. Furthermore, the optimum or quenching concentration of Eu³⁺ ion has been determined as x = 0.010 showed the maximum emission intensity when it was excited at 394 nm.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Transparent (Y0.98−xTb0.02Eux)2O3 Ceramics with Color‐Tailorable Emission

Transparent (Y_0.98?xTb_0.02Eu_x)₂O₃ (x = 0–0.04) ceramics with color‐tailorable emission have been successfully fabricated by vacuum sintering at the relatively low temperature of 1700°C for 4 h. These ceramics have the in‐line transmittances of ~73%–76% at 613 nm, the wavelength of Eu³⁺ emission (the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition). Thermodynamic calculation indicates that the Tb⁴⁺ ions in the starting oxide powder can essentially be reduced to Tb³⁺ under ~10^?3 Pa (the pressure for vacuum sintering) when the temperature is above ~394°C. The photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of the transparent (Y_0.98?xTb_0.02Eu_x)₂O₃ ceramics exhibit one spin‐forbidden (high‐spin, HS) band at ~323 nm and two spin‐allowed (low‐spin, LS) bands at ~303 and 281 nm. Improved emissions were observed for both Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ by varying the excitation wavelength from 270 to 323 nm, without notably changing the color coordinates of the whole emission. The transparent (Y_0.98Tb_0.02)₂O₃ ceramic exhibits the typical green emission of Tb³⁺ at 544 nm (the ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transition). With increasing Eu³⁺ incorporation, the emission color of the (Y_0.98?xTb_0.02Eu_x)₂O₃ ceramics can be precisely tailored from yellowish‐green to reddish‐orange via the effective energy transfer from Tb³⁺ to Eu³⁺ under the excitation with the peak wavelength of the HS band. At the maximum Eu³⁺ emission intensity (x = 0.02), the ceramic shows a high energy‐transfer efficiency of ~85.3%. The fluorescence lifetimes of both the 544 nm Tb³⁺ and 613 nm Eu³⁺ emissions were found to decrease with increasing Eu³⁺ concentration.     

Monitoring the t → m Martensitic Phase Transformation by Photoluminescence Emission in Eu3+‐Doped Zirconia Powders

In this work, we demonstrate that the martensitic t → m phase transformation of ZrO₂ powder stabilized with Eu³⁺ and Eu³⁺/Y³⁺ ions, can be effectively monitored by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. As the luminescent properties of Eu³⁺ from within a host lattice are strongly influenced by the coordination geometry of the ion, we used the emission spectrum to monitor structural changes of ZrO₂. We synthesized Eu³⁺‐doped and Eu³⁺/Y³⁺‐codoped samples via the coprecipitation method, followed by calcination. We promoted the martensitic transformation by applying mechanical compression cycles with an increasing pressure, and deduced the consequential structural changes from the relative intensities of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ hypersensitive transitions, centered, respectively, at 606 and 613 nm whether the Eu³⁺ is in the eightfold coordinated site of the tetragonal phase or in the sevenfold coordinated site of the monoclinic phase. We suggest that the unique emission profile for Eu³⁺ ions in different symmetry sites can be exploited as a simple analytical tool for remote testing of mechanical components that are already mounted and in use. The structural changes observed by PL spectroscopy were corroborated by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD), with the phase compositions and volume fractions being determined by Rietveld analysis.     

A novel dazzling Eu3+‐doped whitlockite‐type phosphate red‐emitting phosphor for white light‐emitting diodes

A series of novel red‐emitting Ca₈ZnLa_1?xEu_x(PO₄)₇ phosphors were successfully synthesized using the high‐temperature solid‐state reaction method. The crystal structure, photoluminescence spectra, thermal stability, and quantum efficiency of the phosphors were investigated as a function of Eu³⁺ concentration. Detailed analysis of their structural properties revealed that all the phosphors could be assigned as whitlockite‐type β‐Ca₃(PO₄)₂ structures. Both the PL emission spectra and decay curves suggest that emission intensity is largely dependent on Eu³⁺ concentration, with no quenching as the Eu³⁺ concentration approaches 100%. A dominant red emission band centered at 611 nm indicates that Eu³⁺ occupies a low symmetry sites within the Ca₈ZnLa(PO₄)₇ host lattice, which was confirm by Judd‐Ofelt theory. Ca₈ZnLa_1?xEu_x(PO₄)₇ phosphors exhibited good color coordinates (0.6516, 0.3480), high color purity (~96.3%), and high quantum efficiency (~78%). Temperature‐dependent emission spectra showed that the phosphors possessed good thermal stability. A white light‐emitting diode (LED) device were fabricated by integrating a mixture of obtained phosphors, commercial green‐emitting and blue‐emitting phosphors into a near‐ultraviolet LED chip. The fabricated white LED device emits glaring white light with high color rendering index (83.9) and proper correlated color temperature (5570 K). These results demonstrate that the Ca₈ZnLa_1?xEu_x(PO₄)₇ phosphors are a promising candidate for solid‐state lighting.     

Homogeneous Precipitation Synthesis and Low‐Voltage Cathodoluminescence of SnO2:Eu3+ Phosphors for Field Emission Displays

A reddish‐orange‐emitting SnO₂:Eu³⁺ phosphor for field emission displays (FEDs) was successfully synthesized via a homogeneous precipitation route using urea as a precipitant. The influences of the dopant concentration of Eu³⁺ and calcination temperature on optical properties were investigated. The low‐voltage field emission properties of the FED device prepared using the synthesized SnO₂:Eu³⁺ phosphors were reported. Under the UV light, SnO₂:Eu³⁺ phosphors display the strong orange–red emission peaked at 587, 591, and 597 nm due to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ magnetic dipole transition of Eu³⁺. The phosphor doped with 1.0 mol% Eu³⁺ possesses the highest photoluminescent (PL) intensity. Under the low‐voltage excitation of 300 V, the fabricated FED device exhibits the bright orange–red emission, high‐voltage brightness saturation, and high color purity, which has a potential application in low‐voltage full color FEDs.     

Structure and Luminescence of New Red‐Emitting Materials‐Eu3+‐Doped Triple Orthovanadates NaALa(VO4)2 (A = Ca,Sr, Ba)

The new red‐emitting phosphors of Eu³⁺‐doped triple orthovanadates NaALa(VO₄)₂ (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) were prepared by the high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The formation of single phase compound with isostructural structure of Ba₃(VO₄)₂ was verified through X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, the fluorescence decay curves and the dependence of luminescence intensity on doping level were investigated. The phosphor can be efficiently excited by near UV and blue light to realize an intense red luminescence (613 nm) corresponding to the electric dipole transition ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ of Eu³⁺ ions. Their potential applications as red‐emitting phosphors for solid‐state lighting were evaluated in comparison with the Eu³⁺‐doped lanthanum orthovanadate LaVO₄ and other reported references. The luminescence was discussed in detail on the base of the crystal structures. The luminescence thermal stability on temperature was investigated and the thermal activated energy was calculated. The phosphors can be suggested to be a potential red‐emitting phosphor for the application on white LEDs under irradiation of near‐UV or blue chips.     

Local microstructure characterization of rare earth‐doped PMMA with low‐ion content by fluorescence EXAFS

Fluorescence‐extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and emission spectrum and excitation spectrum (ESES) were used to characterize the local structure of rare earth‐doped poly(methyl methacrylate)s (Re‐PMMAs) with ion concentration of 600–1000 ppm. Fluorescence EXAFS shows that the chemical state of Sm in Sm‐PMMA is the same as that in Sm₂O₃ and samarium octanoate (SOA), while that of Eu in Eu‐PMMA is different from that in Eu₂O₃ and europium octanoate. ESES also proves the concomitance of Eu²⁺ with Eu³⁺ ions in Eu‐PMMA. And, the almost identical peak positions of Eu L₃ edge at ～6976.7 eV in fluorescence EXAFS of Eu‐PMMA with various Eu content suggests the proportions of Eu²⁺ to Eu³⁺ are the same in these samples. The simulation of fluorescence EXAFS shows that the first‐shell coordination number of Sm³⁺ in Sm‐PMMA is 9.12, and the average first‐shell distance around Sm³⁺ in Sm‐PMMA is 2.43 Å. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1294–1298, 2006     

The NbO6 octahedral distortion and phase structural transition of Eu3+‐doped K0.5Na0.5NbO3–xLiNbO3 ferroelectric ceramics

A small quantity of Eu³⁺ ions were doped in the lead‐free ferroelectric K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃–xLiNbO₃ (KNN–xLN, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) ceramics to investigate the NbO₆ octahedral distortion induced by the increasing LN content. In addition, the phase structure, ferroelectric, and photoluminescence properties of K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃–xLiNbO₃:0.006Eu³⁺ (KNN–xLN:0.006Eu³⁺) lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics were characterized. All the X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectra, dielectric constant vs temperature measurements and the photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ ions demonstrated that the prepared ceramics undergo a polymorphic phase transition (PPT, from orthorhombic to tetragonal phase transformation) with the rising LN content, and the PPT region locates at 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.06. The ferroelectric properties, Raman intensity ratios and photoluminescence intensity ratios show similar variations with the increasing LN content, all with a maximum value achieved at the PPT region. We believe that the close relationship among the ferroelectric properties, Raman intensity ratios, and photoluminescence intensity ratios is caused by the NbO₆ octahedral distortion. The photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ ion was discussed basing on the crystal‐symmetry principle and Judd‐Ofelt theory.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of single‐component Ca5(PO4)3F:Dy3+, Eu3+ white‐emitting phosphors

A series of Ca₅(PO₄)₃F:Dy³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors was synthesized by a solid‐state reaction method. The XRD results show that all as‐prepared Ca₅(PO₄)₃F:Dy³⁺, Eu³⁺ samples match well with the standard Ca₅(PO₄)₃F structure and the doped Dy³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions have no effect on the crystal structure. Under near‐ultraviolet excitation, Dy³⁺ doped Ca₅(PO₄)₃F phosphor shows blue (486 nm) and yellow (579 nm) emissions, which correspond to ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transitions respectively. Eu³⁺ co‐doped Ca₅(PO₄)₃F:Dy³⁺ phosphor shows the additional red emission of Eu³⁺ at 631 nm, and an improved color rendering index. The chromaticity coordinates of Ca₅(PO₄)₃F:Dy³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors also indicate the excellent warm white emission characteristics and low correlated color temperature. Overall, these results suggest that the Ca₅(PO₄)₃F:Dy³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors have potential applications in warm white light‐emitting diodes as single‐component phosphor.     

Influence of the Eu2+ on the Silver Aggregates Formation in Ag+–Na+ Ion‐Exchanged Eu3+‐Doped Sodium–Aluminosilicate Glasses

Europium‐doping sodium–aluminosilicate glasses are prepared by melt‐quenching method, in which europium ions were spontaneously reduced from their trivalent to divalent state. The silver was introduced into glasses by Ag⁺–Na⁺ ion exchange and the interactions between europium ions and silver species were investigated. Owing to energy transfer (ET) from Ag⁺/silver aggregates to Eu³⁺, significant enhancements of Eu³⁺ emission were observed for 285/350‐nm excitation, respectively. The divalent europium ions promote the formation of silver aggregates in the process of ion exchange.     

Eu2+‐Doped Yellow‐Emitting CsBaB3O6 Glass‐Ceramic Prepared by Melt Quenching and Re‐Crystallization Method

Eu³⁺‐doped cesium barium borate glass with the composition of Cs₂O·2BaO·3B₂O₃ was prepared by the conventional melt quenching method. The glass‐ceramic sample was obtained from the re‐crystallization of the as‐made glass to change the amorphous glass into a crystalline host. This reduces the Eu³⁺ in glass to Eu²⁺ ions resulting in a yellow‐emitting phosphor of Eu²⁺‐activated CsBaB₃O₆. The samples were investigated by the XRD patterns and SEM micrograph, the optical absorption, the photoluminescence spectra, and decay curves. The as‐made glass has only Eu³⁺ centers. Under the excitation of blue or near‐UV light, Eu²⁺‐doped CsBaB₃O₆ presents yellow‐emitting color from the allowed inter‐configurational 4f–5d transition in the Eu²⁺ ions. The maximum absolute luminescence quantum efficiencies of Eu²⁺‐doped CsBaB₃O₆ phosphor was measured to be 47% excited at 430 nm light at 300 K. By taking into account the efficient excitation in blue wavelength region, this new phosphor could be a potential yellow‐emitting phosphor for an application in white light‐emitting diodes fabricated with blue chips.     

A single‐phase full‐color emitting phosphor Na3Sc2(PO4)3:Eu2+/Tb3+/Mn2+ with near‐zero thermal quenching and high quantum yield for near‐UV converted warm w‐LEDs

A single‐phase full‐color emitting phosphor Na₃Sc₂(PO₄)₃:Eu²⁺/Tb³⁺/Mn²⁺ has been synthesized by high‐temperature solid‐state method. The crystal structure is measured by X‐ray diffraction. The emission can be tuned from blue to green/red/white through reasonable adjustment of doping ratio among Eu²⁺/Tb³⁺/Mn²⁺ ions. The photoluminescence, energy‐transfer efficiency and concentration quenching mechanisms in Eu²⁺‐Tb³⁺/Eu²⁺‐Mn²⁺ co‐doped samples were studied in detail. All as‐obtained samples show high quantum yield and robust resistance to thermal quenching at evaluated temperature from 30 to 200°C. Notably, the wide‐gamut emission covering the full visible range of Na₃Sc₂(PO₄)₃:Eu²⁺/Tb³⁺/Mn²⁺ gives an outstanding thermal quenching behavior near‐zero thermal quenching at 150°C/less than 20% emission intensity loss at 200°C, and high quantum yield‐66.0% at 150°C/56.9% at 200°C. Moreover, the chromaticity coordinates of Na₃Sc₂(PO₄)₃:Eu²⁺/Tb³⁺/Mn²⁺ keep stable through the whole evaluated temperature range. Finally, near‐UV w‐LED devices were fabricated, the white LED device (CCT = 4740.4 K, Ra = 80.9) indicates that Na₃Sc₂(PO₄)₃:Eu²⁺/Tb³⁺/Mn²⁺ may be a promising candidate for phosphor‐converted near‐UV w‐LEDs.     

Eu3+ doped monetite and its use as fluorescent agent for dental restorations

It is essential but challenging to distinguish the dental restorations from the surrounding teeth when removing filling materials from cavity. In this study, Eu³⁺ doped monetite was proposed as a fluorescent agent for dental restorations to meet this challenge. Eu³⁺ doped monetite with enhanced fluorescent property was obtained via a precipitation method. The presence of Eu³⁺ could prevent the phase transformation of brushite to monetite. However, all the brushite particles transformed to monetite at 300?°C and to tricalcium phosphate at 800?°C. The emission intensity increased with the addition of Eu³⁺ and reached the maximum when 12?mol% Eu³⁺ was added into the aqueous solution. With either 254?nm or 393?nm excitation, Eu³⁺ doped monetite showed the strongest fluorescence emission peaking at 616?nm and other two moderate bands peaking at 699?nm and 593?nm. The excitation spectra at the emission wavelength of 616?nm showed strong absorption peaks at 254?nm and 393?nm. We further investigate the fluorescence properties of Eu³⁺ doped monetite in one type of dental restorations. Glass ionomer cement with Eu³⁺ doped monetite exhibited clear fluoresce with origin color under UV irradiation at 254?nm, showing that Eu³⁺ doped monetite is a promising fluorescent agent for dental restorations.     

Enhanced Optical Properties of Bredigite‐Structure Ca13.7Eu0.3Mg2[SiO4]8 Phosphor: Effective Eu Reduction by La Co‐Doping

A green phosphor, La_0.4Ca_13.3Eu_0.3Mg₂Si₈O_31.6+δN_0.4?δ (LaCMSN:Eu²⁺), was prepared by a solid‐state reaction and an efficient green emission was observed at 506 nm under near‐ultraviolet (NUV) excitation. The structural and optical properties of LaCMSN:Eu²⁺ phosphors as well as their thermal quenching were investigated. The partial substitution of La³⁺ and N^3? in Ca_13.7Eu_0.3Mg₂Si₈O₃₂ led to a considerable enhancement in the peak emission intensity by as much as 194%. This demonstrates not only that the total number of Eu²⁺ activators increased, but also that the probability of a nonradiative transition between Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ could be reduced as the increase in concentration of the former is at the expense of the later. The white light‐emitting diode (LED) was fabricated using phosphor with a NUV LED chip. The LED showed warm white light with an excellent color rendering index of 91. The LaCMSN:Eu²⁺ is thus a potential green‐emitting phosphor for white LEDs.     

A highly intense double perovskite BaSrYZrO5.5: Eu3+ phosphor for latent fingerprint and security ink applications

A novel double perovskite BaSrYZrO_5.5:Eu³⁺ red-emitting phosphor was synthesized and characterized by XRD, SEM and PL analyses. The structure of the prepared phosphor was confirmed through JCPDS as well as Rietveld refinement analysis. The present phosphor shows an intense red emission at 613 nm when excited by 394 nm. The CIE colour coordinates value of BaSrYZrO_5.5:Eu³⁺ (9 mol%) phosphor is found to be (0.6181, 0.3783) and it has high colour purity of 99.1%. The 613 nm transition integrated intensity of the present phosphor is 4.44 times higher compared to the commercial red phosphor. The thermal stability and Quantum yield of optimized BSYZ:Eu³⁺ (9 mol%) phosphor were also calculated. The BSYZ:Eu³⁺ phosphor results can be employed as an efficient red component in latent fingerprint detection and anti-counterfeiting applications.     

LiCaAlN2:Eu3+/Tb3+: Red and green phosphors for LEDs and FEDs with charge transfer transition in n‐UV region

LiCaAlN₂:Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ red/green phosphors were successfully prepared by conventional solid‐state reaction. The photoluminescence (PL) properties and cathodoluminescence (CL) properties of LiCaAlN₂:Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ were investigated in detail. The Eu³⁺ (Tb³⁺) doped LiCaAlN₂ shows red (green) emission peaking at 615 nm (550 nm). Monitored at 615 nm (550 nm), it is interesting to found that LiCaAlN₂:Eu³⁺ (LiCaAlN₂:Tb³⁺) has a broad charge transfer transition in the range of 350‐450 nm (275‐375 nm) peaking at 380 nm (343 nm), which can be efficiently excited by n‐UV light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Under electron beam excitation, LiCaAlN₂:Tb³⁺ exhibited a good resistance to the current saturation. The white LED has also been fabricated with blue, green, and LiCaAlN₂:Eu³⁺ red phosphor. The results indicate that LiCaAlN₂:Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ could be conducive to the development of phosphor‐converted LEDs and field emission displays (FEDs).     

Modeling the PAAc‐AN‐TV surface using 134Cs and 152+154Eu sorption

A novel composite, composed of poly (acrylic acid (AAc), acrylonitrile, and titanium vanadate, was prepared by induced gamma irradiation route at 20 kGy to be used as a hybrid organic‐inorganic sorbent. 5–200 μm particle diameters of the composite were obtained. An average particle size of 75 μm of crystalline (17‐20) composite was used; it was thermally stable to 486°C. The distribution coefficients of Cs⁺ and Eu³⁺ were studied as a function of pH; 2350 mL·g^?1 and 645 mL·g^?1 were obtained in case of ^152+154Eu and ¹³⁴Cs at pH 6. 1.55 mmol·g^?1 and 1.85 mmol·g^?1 maximum loadings were accommodated for the same ions at the same pH. Different models were used to scan the surface of the exchanger, so that the topography of the surface was studied as a function of surface active site types, concentrations, and heterogeneity. Langmuir, Freundlich and D‐R models were used. Also, different kinetic models, as Lagergren pseudo first‐order, pseudo second‐order and Morris‐Weber intraparticle diffusion models were applied to study the possible mechanism of the sorption process; pseudo first‐order was exempted to investigate the mechanism. They proved that chemisorption and ion exchange mechanism with controlled diffusion are predominant, with their characteristic mean energies (8.731 kJ·mol^?1 and 9.310 kJ·mol^?1 for Cs⁺ and Eu³⁺, respectively). Double Shell Model was finally adopted to explain the suggested mechanism. Negative values of ΔG°, ?2.15 kJ·mol^?1 to ?7.92 kJ·mol^?1 in case of Cs⁺ and ?3.35 kJ·mol^?1 to ?9.67 kJ·mol^?1 in case of Eu³⁺adsorption at different temperatures, indicate the spontaneous nature of the reactions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009