Synthesis and luminescence properties of clew-like CaMoO4:Sm, Eu

Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺ co-doped CaMoO₄ microclews have been successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method directly in surfactant-free environment. The as-prepared phosphor present clew-like agglomerates composed of 40 nm nanosheets under the moderated reaction temperature. The red phosphor CaMoO₄:Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺ can generate a strong absorption line at 405 nm, originating from ⁶H_5/2 → ⁶P_5/2 transition of Sm³⁺, which is suitable for the emission of the near-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (∼400 nm). Energy transfer between Sm³⁺ and Eu³⁺ is detected from the varied photoluminescence spectra with different Eu³⁺ concentrations and the energy transfer mechanism is clarified via the photoluminescence spectra. When Sm³⁺ is excited (405 nm), the electron is excited from ⁶H_5/2 to ⁶P_5/2, and then relaxed to ⁴G_5/2. It jumps from ⁴G_5/2 to the lower levels corresponding to the emissions of Sm³⁺; meanwhile, the transfers from ⁴G_5/2 state of Sm³⁺ ion to ⁵D₀ state of Eu³⁺ ion come out. The transition of ⁵D₁ → ⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2) does not appear indicating that the transfer from ⁴G_5/2 state of Sm³⁺ to ⁵D₀ state rather than ⁵D₁ state of Eu³⁺ is the energy transfer pathway.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of color-tunable BaLa2WO7:Eu phosphor

Color-tunable phosphors BaLa_2−xEu_xWO₇ were synthesized via a solid-state reaction. The absorption, excitation, emission and decay curves were obtained to study the luminescence properties. The experimental results indicate that BaLa_2−xEu_xWO₇ phosphors have two regions in the excitation spectra: one is assigned to the charge-transfer state (CTS) band at about 338 nm, and the other is assigned to the intra-4f transitions at 360-600 nm. The emission spectra of BaLa_2−xEu_xWO₇ phosphors excited at 395 nm exhibit a series of sharp peaks, which are attributed to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions. Luminescence from higher excited states, such as ⁵D₁, ⁵D₂, and ⁵D₃, were also observed at low Eu³⁺ concentration. The optimal emission intensity of ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ red emission is at x = 0.4 (BaLa_1.6Eu_0.4WO₇). The chromaticity coordinates of BaLa_2−xEu_xWO₇ phosphors vary with Eu³⁺ content from white, orange-red, to red, making it a candidate for a white-light-emitting phosphor in UV-LEDs.     

Luminescence studies of Ba1−xMg2−y(PO4)2:xEu, yMn phosphor

The phosphors BaMg₂(PO₄)₂ doped with Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ solely or doubly were prepared by solid state reaction, and their luminescent properties were also investigated. Under the excitation of 322 nm, it has been observed a broad blue emission band centered at 417 nm and a red emission band centered at about 665 nm, resulting from Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺, respectively. Resonance-type energy transfers from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ were discovered by directly overlapping the emission spectra of Eu²⁺ and the excitation spectra of Mn²⁺. According to the changes of relative intensities of Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ emission, efficiencies of energy transfer were calculated. Based on the principle of energy transfer, the relative intensities of blue and red emission could be tuned by adjusting the contents of Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺.     

Photoluminescence and thermoluminescence studies of Mg2SiO4:Eu nano phosphor

Nanoparticles of Eu³⁺ doped Mg₂SiO₄ are prepared using low temperature solution combustion technique with metal nitrate as precursor and urea as fuel. The synthesized samples are calcined at 800 °C for 3 h. The Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns of the sample reveled orthorhombic structure with α-phase. The crystallite size using Scherer's formula is found to be in the range 50-60 nm. The effect of Eu³⁺ on the luminescence characteristics of Mg₂SiO₄ is studied and the results are presented here. These phosphors exhibit bright red color upon excitation by 256 nm light and showed the characteristic emission of the Eu³⁺ ions. The electronic transition corresponding to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ of Eu³⁺ ions (612 nm) is stronger than the magnetic dipole transition corresponding to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ of Eu³⁺ ions (590 nm). Thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of γ-rayed Mg₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors are studied. Two prominent and well-resolved TL glows with peaks at 202 °C and 345 °C besides a shoulder with peak at ∼240 °C are observed. The trapping parameters-activation energy (E), order of kinetics (b) and frequency factor (s) are calculated using glow curve shape method and the results obtained are discussed.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence of Eu by co-doping Eu and Cl in Sr2P2O7 under air atmosphere

A novel phosphor Sr₂P₂O₇ co-doped with europium ion and chlorine ion was firstly synthesized by solid state reaction under air atmosphere. Its properties were systematically analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and fluorescence spectra. The introduction of chlorine into the system was helpful and necessary to Eu³⁺ substitute Sr²⁺ site and subsequently to reduce Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺, XPS results confirmed that some amount of Eu³⁺ ions could be reduced to Eu²⁺ ions under air atmosphere at high temperature. The reduction tendency of Eu³⁺ depends not only on the doping Cl⁻ content, but also on the sintering temperature and time. Photoluminescence spectra also revealed that europium ions were present in divalent as well as trivalent oxidation states, the emission peak at 415 nm is ascribed to the typical 5d-4f transition of Eu²⁺, 592 nm and 613 nm assigned to the characteristic transitions of ⁵D₀-⁷F_1,2 of Eu³⁺. Such abnormal reduction was attributed to the electronegative defects formed by nonequivalent substitution of Eu³⁺ on the Sr²⁺ sites in the investigated phosphors.     

Reddish orange long afterglow phosphor Ca2SnO4:Smprepared by sol-gel method

A reddish orange light emissive long afterglow phosphor, Ca₂SnO₄:Sm³⁺ was prepared by sol-gel method at lower temperature. The synthesized phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron micrograph images, photoluminescence spectra, afterglow decay curves and thermoluminescence spectra. Three emission peaks locate at 565 nm, 609 nm and 655 nm corresponding to CIE chromaticity coordinates of x = 0.53 and y = 0.47, which indicates the reddish orange light emitting. The fluorescent intensity and the afterglow characteristic depends on the concentration of Sm³⁺ and the optimized concentration is 1.5 mol%. The afterglow decay curves are well fitted with triple-exponential decay models. The thermoluminescence glow curves show that the Sm³⁺ induces suitable trap depth and result in the long afterglow phenomenon, and the corresponding increase or decrease in afterglow is associated with trap concentration, nearly no change in trap depth. The 1.5 mol% Sm³⁺-doped Ca₂SnO₄ sample has the biggest trap concentration and exhibit the best afterglow characteristic, its’ afterglow time is about 1 h. The phosphorescence mechanism of this long afterglow phosphor was discussed.     

Photoluminescent properties of LiSrxBa1−xPO4:RE (RE = Sm, Eu) f-f transition phosphors

Rare-earth ions (Sm³⁺ or Eu³⁺) doped LiSr_xBa_1−xPO₄ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) f-f transition phosphor powders were prepared by a high temperature solid-state reaction. The resulted phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results of XRD indicate that the phase structure of the sample changes from LiBaPO₄ to LiSrPO₄ when x changes from 0 to 1.0. The excitation spectra indicate that only direct excitation of rare earth ions (Sm³⁺ or Eu³⁺) can be observed. The doped rare earth ions show their characteristic emission in LiSr_xBa_1−xPO₄, i.e., Eu³⁺⁵D₀-⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4), Sm³⁺⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_J (J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2, 11/2), respectively. The dependence of the emission intensities of the LiSr_xBa_1−xPO₄:Sm³⁺ and LiSr_xBa_1−xPO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors on the x value and Ln³⁺ (Ln³⁺ = Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺) concentration is also investigated.     

Photocatalytic performance of nano-photocatalyst from TiO2 and Fe2O3 by mechanochemical synthesis

Nano-particles of homogeneous solid solution between TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ (up to 10 mol%) have been prepared by mechanochemical milling of TiO₂ and yellow Fe₂O₃/red Fe₂O₃/precipitated Fe (OH)₃ using a planetary ball mill. Such novel solid solution cannot be prepared by conventional co-precipitation technique. A preliminary investigation of photocatalytic activity of mixed oxide (TiO₂/Fe₂O₃) on photo-oxidation of different organic dyes like Rhodamine B (RB), Methyl orange (MO), Thymol blue (TB) and Bromocresol green (BG) under visible light (300-W Xe lamp; λ > 420 nm) showed that TiO₂ having 5 mol% of Fe₂O₃ (YFT1) is 3-5 times higher photoactive than that of P25 TiO₂. The XRD result did not show the peaks assigned to the Fe components (for example Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, FeO₃, and Fe metal) on the external surface of the anatase structure in the Fe₂O₃/TiO₂ attained through mechanochemical treatment. This meant that Fe components were well incorporated into the TiO₂ anatase structure. The average crystallite size and particle size of YFT1 were found to be 12 nm and 30 ± 5 nm respectively measured from XRD and TEM conforming to nanodimensions. Together with the Fe component, they absorbed wavelength of above 387 nm. The band slightly shifted to the right without tail broadness, which was the UV absorption of Fe oxide in the Fe₂O₃/TiO₂ particle attained through mechanochemical method. This meant that Fe components were well inserted into the framework of the TiO₂ anatase structure. EPR and magnetic susceptibility show that Fe³⁺ is in low spin state corresponding to μ_B = 1.8 BM. The temperature variation of μ_B shows that Fe³⁺ is well separated from each other and does not have any antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic interaction. The evidence of Fe³⁺ in TiO₂/Fe₂O₃ alloy is also proved by a new method that is redox titration which is again support by the XPS spectrum.     

Preparation and luminescent properties of Eu doped Sr3La(PO4)3 phosphor

Eu²⁺-doped Sr₃La(PO₄)₃ phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. Their luminescent properties were investigated. The phosphor could be excited by ultraviolet light effectively. The emission spectra exhibit two emission peaks located at 418 nm and 500 nm, respectively. These two peaks originated from two different luminescent centers, respectively. One is nine-coordinated Eu(I) center, other is six-coordinated Eu(II) center. It was found that the doping concentration of Eu²⁺ ions affected the shape of emission spectra. As the doping concentration increasing, Eu²⁺ ions are more likely to form Eu(I) luminescent centers and emit purple light.     

Eu/Sm ions co-doped white light luminescence SrSiO3 glass-ceramics phosphor for White LED

Eu²⁺/Sm³⁺ co-doped silicate glass was prepared by high temperature melting under reducing atmosphere and the Eu²⁺/Sm³⁺ co-doped SrSiO₃ transparent glass-ceramics were obtained after heat-treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra confirmed the formation of SrSiO₃ nano-crystals in the glass matrix. The photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the samples were measured. A broad emission band from 400 nm to 550 nm due to the 4f⁶5d¹ → 4f⁷ transitions of Eu²⁺ was observed, as well as several sharp emission peaks at 563 nm, 600 nm, 646 nm and 713 nm ascribed to the 4f → 4f transitions of Sm³⁺. The luminescence properties of the glass ceramics with different molar ratio of Eu²⁺/Sm³⁺ were studied and the corresponding chromaticity coordinates were calculated. The ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED) excitable glass-ceramics emitting white light were obtained by tuning the relative emission intensity of Eu²⁺ and Sm³⁺. The results indicate that the Eu²⁺/Sm³⁺ co-doped SrSiO₃ transparent glass-ceramics can be used as a potential matrix material for White LED under UV-LED excitation.     

Luminescence properties of Eu and Eu doped calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite prepared in air

Eu-doped calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite Ca_8.95Eu_0.05HPO₄(PO₄)₅OH (designated CDHA:Eu) was prepared via the coprecipitation method and calcined in air. Phase purity, crystal structure and morphology of the CDHA:Eu were characterized using X-ray diffraction spectrometer and scanning electron microscopy. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra of Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions were measured using luminescence spectrometer. The emission spectra showed a broad emission band centered at 450 nm corresponded to the typical 4f⁶5d¹ → 4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺ ions, and sharp peaks corresponded to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. This research was focused on the site-distribution of Eu³⁺ ions. The Eu³⁺ in different sites had different spectroscopic features and the charge compensation mechanisms were also discussed.     

Preparation and characteristics of Fe3O4@YVO4:Eu bifunctional magnetic-luminescent nanocomposites

A facile direct precipitation method has been developed for the synthesis of bifunctional magnetic-luminescent nanocomposites with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as the core and YVO₄:Eu³⁺ as the shell. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that the obtained bifunctional nanocomposites had a core-shell structure and a spherical morphology. The average size was ∼150 nm, and the thickness of the shell was ∼15 nm. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that a cubic spinel structure of Fe₃O₄ core and a tetragonal phase of YVO₄ shell were obtained. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra confirmed that the YVO₄:Eu³⁺ had been successfully deposited on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra indicated that the nanocomposites displayed a strong red characteristic emission of Eu³⁺. Magnetic measurements showed that the obtained bifunctional nanocomposites exhibited superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. Therefore, the bifunctional nanocomposites are expected to develop many potential applications in biomedical fields.     

Piezoelectric and dielectric properties of Dy2O3-doped (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.94Ba0.06TiO3 lead-free ceramics

(Bi_0.5Na_0.5)_0.94Ba_0.06TiO₃ + x wt% Dy₂O₃ with x = 0-0.3 ceramics were synthesized by conventional solid-state processes. The effects of Dy₂O₃ on the microstructure, the piezoelectric and dielectric properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed that the coexistence of tetragonal and rhombohedral phases in the (Bi_0.5Na_0.5)_0.94Ba_0.06TiO₃ composition was not changed by adding 0.05-0.3 wt% Dy₂O₃. SEM images indicate that all the ceramics have pore-free microstructures with high density, and that doping of Dy₂O₃ inhibits the grain growth of the ceramics. The addition of Dy₂O₃ shows the double effects on decreasing the piezoelectric and dielectric properties for 0 < x < 0.15 when Dy³⁺ ions substitute B-site Ti⁴⁺ ions, and increasing the properties for 0.15 < x < 0.3 when Dy³⁺ ions enters into A-site of the perovskite structure. The optimum electric properties of piezoelectric constant d₃₃ = 170 pC/N and the dielectric constant ?_r = 1900 (at a frequency of 1 kHz) are obtained at x = 0.3.     

Infrared spectroscopic properties of Tm, Ho:NaY(WO4)2 single crystals

Singly doped and Tm³⁺/Ho³⁺ co-doped NaY(WO₄)₂ single crystals were grown successfully by Czochralski method. The room temperature polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra as well as the decay curves were measured. Spectroscopic parameters related to the laser operation around 2.0 μm via the ³F₄ → ³H₆ (Tm³⁺) and ⁵I₇ → ⁵I₈ (Ho³⁺) transitions have been evaluated. The energy level scheme and energy transfer processes of Tm³⁺ and Ho³⁺ were analyzed.     

Spectroscopy features of Pr and Er ions in Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2 glass matrices mixed with some sesquioxides

The glasses of the composition Li₂O-ZrO₂-SiO₂: Pr₂O₃/Er₂O₃ mixed with three interesting sesquioxides (viz., Al₂O₃, Sc₂O₃, Y₂O₃) were synthesized. Optical absorption and fluorescence spectra (in the spectral range 350-2100 nm were studied at ambient temperature. The Judd-Ofelt theory was applied to characterize the absorption and luminescence spectra of Pr³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in these glasses. Following the luminescence spectra, various radiative properties like transition probability A, branching ratio β and the radiative life time τ for different emission levels of two rare earth ions have been evaluated. The radiative life times for the upper levels ³P₀ (Pr³⁺) and ⁴S_3/2 (Er³⁺) have also been measured and quantum efficiencies were estimated. The variations observed in these parameters were discussed in the light of changing environment of rare earth ions due to mixing of different sesquioxides in the glass network.     

In situ template polymerization of aniline on the surface of negatively charged TiO2 nanoparticles

The in situ oxidative template polymerization of aniline was performed successfully on the surface of negatively charged titania (TiO₂) nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 40 nm using ammonium persulfate and a Chem-Solv solution at pH 1 and 25 °C. SEM showed that the resulting polyaniline (PANI)/TiO₂ composites were well dispersed in solution due to the electrostatic repulsion force. Ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry showed that the optical, thermal, and electrical properties of PANI/TiO₂ composites were quite different from those of pure PANI or TiO₂, which was attributed to the strong interaction between the two components. The conductivity of the PANI/TiO₂ composite was estimated to be 0.91 × 10⁻¹ S/cm at 25 °C in the range of semiconductor.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Bi-doped YVO4 phosphors

YVO₄:Bi³⁺ phosphors have been prepared by a convenient high-temperature solid-state method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) technologies are used to study the luminescence properties of YVO₄:Bi³⁺ phosphors. The emission and excitation spectra of Bi³⁺ in the YVO₄ lattice have been investigated at room temperature. The excitation band peaks at 330 nm in a region among 250-400 nm, and the emission spectrum exhibits an intense yellowish-white broad emission centered at about 543 nm covering from 400 nm to 800 nm. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) is about 144 nm. The color coordinates of the as-synthesized YVO₄:Bi³⁺ phosphors are in a range of x = 0.358-0.374, y = 0.482-0.496. The dependence of the luminescence intensity on Bi³⁺ concentrations and heat treatment condition has also been discussed. In addition, we found that a little amount of flux NH₄Cl could enhance the Bi³⁺ luminescence intensity.     

Preparation of Dy-activated strontium orthosilicate (Sr2SiO4:Dy) phosphors and its photoluminescent properties

Dy³⁺-activated β/α′-Sr₂SiO₄ phosphors were successfully prepared by solid-state reaction method with ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) as the flux. The influences of calcination temperatures, amounts of NH₄Cl and the concentrations of Dy³⁺ on phase composition, morphology and the photoluminescent properties of as-prepared powders were investigated in detail. The β and α′ phases of Sr₂SiO₄ were obtained with 1 wt% and 2-5 wt% NH₄Cl, respectively, as the sintered condition was at 1000 °C for 4 h. With increasing the amount of NH₄Cl, the morphology of phosphors changed from needlelike to regular polyhedron shape and the colors of the Sr₂SiO₄:Dy³⁺ phosphors changed from blue-green to white. The luminescence intensity of ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 transition was slightly higher than that of ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 (ΔL = 2, ΔJ = 2) transition owing to the low-symmetry around Dy³⁺ ions. The optimum concentration of Dy³⁺ was 2.0 mol% and the concentration quenching were caused by the d-d interaction and a cross relaxation. The yellow-to-blue intensity ratio (Y/B) of Dy³⁺ emission did not to change with varying the Dy³⁺ concentration using Li⁺ ions for charge compensation. These indicate that this phosphor can be used as a potential candidate for the phosphor-converted white LEDs with a UV chip.     

Elucidating the dielectric properties of Mg2SnO4 ceramics at microwave frequency

This study investigated the potential applications of microwave dielectric properties of Mg₂SnO₄ ceramics in mobile communication. Mg₂SnO₄ ceramics were prepared using a conventional solid-state method. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the Mg₂SnO₄ ceramics revealed no significant variation of phase with sintering temperature. A maximum density of 4.62 g/cm³, a dielectric constant (?_r) of 8.41, a quality factor (Q × f) of 55,100 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of −62 ppm/ °C were obtained when Mg₂SnO₄ ceramics were sintered at 1550 °C for 4 h.     

Investigation on temperature dependence of photoluminescence in Sr1.7Eu0.3MxCeO4.15+x/2 (M = Li, Na, K, x = 0, 0.3) red phosphors

The temperature-dependent luminescence of Sr_1.7Eu_0.3M_xCeO_4.15+x/2 (M = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, x = 0, 0.3) samples was investigated and discussed in the temperature range from 303 to 573 K. It is found that the thermal quenching temperature of samples decreases with Li⁺-/Na⁺-doping but increases with the incorporation of K⁺. We suggest that these observations are resulted from two factors. One is that the incorporation of Li⁺/Na⁺/K⁺ ions reduces the strength of potential field at the O²⁻ sites, and then results in a red-shift of the Eu-O charge transfer band. The other is that Δr expands with Li⁺-/Na⁺-doping but shrinks with K⁺-doping. We consider that it is a feasible way to adjust the temperature-dependent luminescence properties of materials by introducing appropriate impurities.