Photoluminescent properties of Eu3＋ and Tb3＋ codoped Gd2O3 nanowires and bulk materials

In this paper, the Gd2O3：Eu3＋,Tb3＋phosphors with different doping concentrations of Eu3＋and Tb3＋ions were prepared by a hydrothermal method for nanocrystals and the solid-phase method for microcrystals. The interaction of the doped ions with different concentrations and the luminescent properties of the nanocrystals and microcrystals were studied systematically. Their structure and morphology of Gd2O3：Eu3＋,Tb3＋phosphors were analyzed by means of X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron mi-croscopy （TEM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The photoluminescence （PL） properties of Gd2O3：Eu3＋,Tb3＋phosphors were also systematically investigated. The results indicated that when the concentration of doped Eu3＋was fixed at 1 mol.%, the emis-sion intensity of Eu3＋ions was degenerating with Tb3＋content increasing, while when the Tb3＋content was fixed at 1 mol.%, the emission intensity of Tb3＋ions reached a maximum when the concentration of Eu3＋was 2 mol.%, implying that the energy transfer from Eu3＋to Tb3＋took place. In addition, Tb3＋could inspire blue-green light and the Eu3＋could inspire red light. Therefore co-doping systems by controlling the doping concentration and the hosts are the potential white emission materials.     

Quenching mechanism of Er^3＋ emissions in Er^3＋-and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋-doped SrAl12O19 nanophosphors

Nanoscaled SrAl12O19:Er3+ and SrAl12O19:Yb3+,Er3+ phosphors were synthesized by a combustion method.The emission intensities of every sample were compared by a new method with the emission of codoped Gd3+ ions as a reference.Compared with their bulk material prepared by the solid-state reaction method,a higher Er3+ quenching concentration,as high as 20%,was observed in the nanoscaled phosphors for both visible(VIS) and near infrared(NIR) emissions.The higher quenching concentration in both VIS and NIR regions for nanoscaled samples are related to the structure characteristics of the nano particles.The influence of the introduction of Yb3+ ions on the emission spectra intensity was also investigated and discussed.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of ZnTiO3:Eu3+ red phosphors via sol-gel method

ZnTiO3:Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized with different concentrations of Eu3+ doping through sol-gel method. The samples were calcined at different temperatures for 2 h in air. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy(SEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The XRD results showed that the Zn Ti O3:Eu3+ phosphors doped with different concentrations of Eu3+ ions calcined at 600 oC were of single phase, which indicated that the Eu3+ ions had been successfully incorporated into the Zn Ti O3 host lattice and did not destroy the lattice structure of Zn Ti O3 host. The Raman spectrum, SEM and TEM also proved that the doping of Eu3+ did not change the lattice structure of hexagonal Zn Ti O3 host. The photoluminescence(PL) of Eu3+ ions with the main emission peak at 614 nm was observed to increase with Eu3+ concentrations from 0.5 mol.% to 2.0 mol.% and decreased when the concentration was increased to 2.5 mol.%. The decrease in the PL intensity at higher Eu3+ concentrations could be associated with concentration quenching effect. The CIE1931 chromaticity diagram(x, y) of Zn Ti O3:2.0 wt.%Eu3+ phosphors were located in the red region(x=0.652, y=0.347). The luminescence properties suggested that Zn Ti O3:Eu3+ phosphors might be regarded as a potential red phosphor candidate for light emitting diodes(LEDs).     

Preparation and luminescence properties of Eu3+ doped oxyfluoride borosilicate glass ceramics

Oxyfluoride borosilicate glass with the molar composition of 60SiO2-15B2O3-15Na2O-8CaF2-2NaF-0.25Eu2O3 was synthesized by a traditional glass melting method. Glass ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals were prepared by heat treating the glass samples at a tem-perature in the range of 620-680 °C. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the average crystallite size and the lattice constant of CaF2 nanocrystals increased with the heat treatment temperature increasing. The luminescence spectra showed that the emission intensity of Eu3+ doped glass ceramics was stronger than that of the glass matrix, and increased with the heat treatment temperature increasing. The left edge of excitation band shifted to shorter wavelength in the glass ceramics. The local environments of Eu3+ ions in the glass and glass ceram-ics were different.     

Luminescence properties of Mn2） ions doped Lu2CaMg2Si3O1） garnet phosphors

Yttrium aluminum garnet structure phosphors Lu2CaMg2Si3O12:Mn2+ were synthesized by conventional high temperature solid-state reaction in reductive atmosphere. The structure and optical properties of samples were characterized by application of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the phosphors mainly presented garnet structure with a few weak peaks of impurity phases. Lu2-xCaMg2Si3O12:xMn2+ (x=0.01-0.8) phosphors showed a broad emission band peaking at around 590 nm under ultraviolet (UV) light of 408 nm when Mn2+ concentration was less than 0.08 mol. With an increase in the Mn2+ concentration (above 0.08), another broad emission band peaking at 720 nm besides 590 nm was observed, which may be due to manganese ion having different valence and occupying different host lattice. The critical quenching concentrations of manganese ion in the wavelength of 590 and 720 nm were about 0.06 and 0.2 mol, respectively. With 408 nm excitation wavelength, emission color of the samples had a red shift trend as the Mn2+ concentration increased. All the results indicated that the Lu2CaMg2Si3O12:Mn2+ phosphors could be applicable to n-UV based white LEDs.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Sr3-z（AlxSi1-x）O5-xFx：zCe^3＋phosphors

Sr3-z(Alx,Si1-x)O -5-xFx:zCe3+ phosphors were synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction.The structure and luminescence properties of phosphors with various Al/Si ratios and Ce3+ concentrations were characterized using various methods such as X-ray diffraction,photoluminescence excitation and photoluminescence spectra.XRD result displayed that a complete solid solution between Sr3AlO4F and Sr3SiO5 was formed.With the increasing of x value,a broader excitation band and stronger absorption appeared in the blue light region.Moreover,the emission band shifted to a shorter wavelength and the emission intensity reached a maximum at x=0.6.By adjusting the concentration of Ce3+,a widely tunable range of emission wavelength under the excitation of 460 nm was obtained from the green to yellow regions.In addition,the concentration and thermal quenching were also discussed.     

Energy transfer in Tb~（3＋）,Yb~（3＋） codoped Lu_2O_3 near-infrared downconversion nanophosphors

Tb3+ and Yb3+ codoped Lu2O3 nanophosphors were synthesized by the reverse-strike co-precipitation method. The obtained Lu2O3:Tb3+,Yb3+ nanophosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The XRD results showed that all the prepared nanophosphors could be readily indexed to pure cubic phase of Lu2O3 and indicated good crystallinity. The Tb3+→Yb3+ energy transfer mechanisms in the UV-blue region in Lu2O3 nanophosphors were investigated. The experimental results showed that the strong visible emission around 543 nm from Tb3+ (5D4→7F5) and near-infrared (NIR) emission around 973 nm from Yb3+ (2F5/2→2F7/2) of Lu2O3:Tb3+,Yb3+ nanophosphors were observed under ultraviolet light excitation, respectively. Tb3+ could be effectively excited up to its 4f75d1 state and relaxed down to the 5D4 level, from which the energy was transferred cooperatively to two neighboring Yb3+. The Yb3+ concentration dependent luminescent properties and lifetimes of both the visible and NIR emissions were also studied. The lifetime of the visible emission decreased with the increase of Yb3+ concentration, verifying the efficient energy transfer from the Tb3+ to the Yb3+. Cooperative energy transfer (CET) from Tb3+ to Yb3+ was discussed as a possible mechanism for the near-infrared emission. When doped concentrations were 1 mol.% Tb3+ and 2 mol.% Yb3+, the intensity of NIR emission was the strongest.     

Synthesis and characterization of CaAl_xO_y:Eu²⁺ phosphors prepared using solution-combustion method

Europium-doped calcium aluminate(CaAlxOy:Eu2+) phosphors were obtained at low temperatures(500 oC) by the solution-combustion of corresponding metal nitrate-urea solution mixtures.The particle size and morphology and the structural and luminescent properties of the as-synthesized phosphors were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),Auger spectroscopy,transmission electron spectroscopy(TEM) and photoluminescence(PL).It was found that the Ca:Al molar ratios showed greatly influence not only on the particle size and morphology,but also on their PL spectra and structure.With the Ca:Al molar ratios increasing from 6:100 to 26:100,the structure of as-synthesized phosphor changed from CaAl12O19 to monoclinic CaAl2O4 and the dominant emitting light from red to blue,implying that the oxidation state of doped europium ions changed from trivalent to divalent due to the structure variation of host lattice.A blue phosphor with almost pure phase can be easily prepared by solution combustion method with suitable Ca:Al molar ratio.     

Photoluminescence characterization and energy transfer of NaBa1-x-yPO4：xCe3＋, yTb3＋ phosphors

A series of NaBa1-x-yPO4: xCe3+, yTb3+ phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure, photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra and decay times of the phosphors were carefully investigated. The results revealed that an efficient energy transfer occurred from Ce3+ to Tb3+ ions in NaBaPO4 host by means of dipole-dipole interactions and the critical distance of the energy transfer was about 0.638 nm. Moreover, the phosphor emitted strong green emission under UV excitation, indicating that the phosphors are potentially useful as a highly efficient, green-emitting phosphor.     

Luminescent properties of dysprosium（Ⅲ） ions in LaAlO3 nanocrystallites

The absorption and emission spectra as well as decay time profile of Dy3+ ions in LaAlO3 nanocrystals were analyzed.The crystal structure of LaAlO3 was confirmed from XRD measurement.The emission peaks from blue to red came from main emitting level of dyspro-sium 4F9/2 to the ground and other excited levels of Dy3+ ions.Cross relaxation process led to non-radiative quenching of luminescence,so that the lifetime of the 4F9/2 energy level ions decreased with increasing amount of doped Dy3+ ions.The cross relaxation transfer rates were ex-perimentally determined as a function of Dy3+ concentration.     

Luminescent properties of β-Lu2Si2O7:RE(RE=Ce, Tb) nanoparticles by sol-gel method

Nanoscale RE³⁺ (RE=Ce, Tb) doped and codoped lutetium pyrosilicate Lu₂Si₂O₇ (LPS) phosphors were prepared by using the sol-gel method. Heat treatment was performed in the temperature range from 900 to 1100 °C. The crystal structure was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the β-type structure of LPS was obtained at 1100 °C. The excitation spectra in the UV and VUV ranges and the emission spectra of the samples were measured at room temperature, and their luminescent properties were studied. The energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ in the codoped samples were observed and discussed.     

Study on spectroscopic properties of GdOBr:RE (RE=Eu, Tb, Ce)

Rare earth ions doped gadolinium oxybromide phosphors GdOBr:RE³⁺ (RE=Eu, Tb, Ce) were synthesized by the method of solid-state reaction at high temperature, and the VUV-VIS spectroscopic properties of the phosphors were systematically investigated. Under the excitation of VUV or UV source, the phosphors doped with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ show a bright and sharp emission at around 620 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺, and at around 544 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺, respectively. For GdOBr:Ce³⁺, a broader and intense emission spanned 370–500 nm corresponding to the d-f transition of Ce³⁺ was observed. The excitation spectra were also analyzed.     

Luminescence properties of BaAl12O19:Tb,Ce and energy transfer between Ce3+, Tb3+

BaAl₁₂O₁₉:Tb,Ce phosphors were prepared by sol-gel technique, the crystalline structures of samples characterized by XRD, and the luminescence properties and energy transfer between Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ were investigated. The results indicated that the emission intensity and the excitation wavelength range of Tb³⁺ increased when Ce³⁺ was doped. It demonstrated that the Ce³⁺ added in the BaAl₁₂O₁₉:Tb could deliver energy to Tb³⁺, and Ce³⁺ was not luminous by itself. The relative emission intensity of Tb³⁺ at wavelength of 548 nm was the strongest by Tb³⁺/Ce³⁺ ratio of 2:1, when excited at 310 nm, which was the characteristic adsorption wavelength of Ce³⁺.     

Tunable emission,energy transfer and thermal stability of Ce3+, Tb3+ co-doped Na2BaCa(PO4)2 phosphors

A series of single Ce³⁺ doped and Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped Na₂BaCa(PO₄)₂ (NBCP) phosphors was synthesized by conventional solid-stated reaction method. The crystal structure, luminescence properties, thermal stability and energy transfer were carefully investigated. Ce³⁺ is inferred to substitute the Ba²⁺ site in NBCP lattice. The color-tunable emission from blue to green is observed by adjusting Tb³⁺ concentration among NBCP:0.03Ce³⁺,yTb³⁺ phosphors. The energy transfer behavior from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ ions is both illustrated by co-doped PL spectra and decay curves. The energy transfer efficiency is as high as 91.5%. The mechanism of energy transfer is resonance type of dipole-dipole transition. In this work, the optimal phosphor exhibits the excellent thermal stability which keeps at 94.9% of that initial value at room temperature when temperature reaches to 150 °C. The Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped NBCP phosphor is a promising candidate for the application in the general lighting and display fields.     

Energy transfer and luminescent properties of Tb3+ and Tb3+, Yb3+ doped CNGG phosphors

In this work, calcium niobium gallium garnet (Ca₃Nb_1.6875Ga_3.1875O₁₂ - CNGG) ceramic samples single-doped with Tb³⁺ and co-doped with Tb³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions were sintered by the solid-state reaction method. The structural characterization of the samples was carried out by X-ray diffraction measurements. The optimal concentration of Tb³⁺ ions corresponding to the maximum luminescence in the green spectral range in CNGG:x at% Tb (x = 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) was determined to be 4 at%. The time-resolved luminescence of the ⁵D₄ level (Tb³⁺) in the CNGG:x at% Tb samples was analysed to explore the quenching mechanisms involved in the Tb³⁺ green emission. Co-doped CNGG:4 at% Tb,y at% Yb (y = 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) ceramics were prepared and investigated. It is shown that CNGG:4 at% Tb,y at% Yb phosphors exhibit intense green luminescence under ultra-violet (UV), visible (VIS), and near-infrared (NIR) excitation, thus demonstrating the presence of simultaneous down-conversion (DC) and up-conversion (UC) processes. The dependence of the UC luminescence intensity on the diode laser pumping power was measured and the results indicate a two-photon process based on cooperative energy transfer (CET). Under UV excitation, the lifetime of the ⁵D₄ (Tb³⁺) level slowly increases with increase of Yb³⁺ concentration, suggesting the energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Tb³⁺ ions, while under NIR excitation, the lifetime of the ⁵D₄ (Tb³⁺) level decreases with increase of Yb³⁺ ions concentration, indicating the presence of a strong energy transfer from Tb³⁺ to Yb³⁺ ions. The highest energy transfer efficiency of ηET ≈42% was determined for the CNGG:4 at% Tb,10 at% Yb sample. The obtained results indicate that CNGG:(Tb³⁺, Yb³⁺) could be efficient new yellowish-green-emitting phosphors.     

Luminescence properties and energy transfer of host sensitized CaMoO4：Tb^3＋ green phosphors

A series of CaMoO 4 :xTb 3+(x=0.01,0.03,0.05,0.07,0.09,0.15 and 0.20) phosphors in pure phase were prepared via high temperature solid-state reaction approach.The crystal structure of the phosphors was investigated by X-ray diffraction(XRD),and the optical properties were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy(UV-Vis) and photoluminescence(PL) spectroscopy.The PL spectra illustrated that these phosphors could be efficiently excited by the charge transfer band of the host and the energy transfer efficiency from the host to the doped activator reached 60% when the doping concentration of the activator Tb 3+ was 20 mol.%.The concentration quenching occurred at x=10 mol.%,from which the critical distance of activator was calculated to be about 1.14 nm.The CIE coordinates were estimated to be close to the standard green value.The host sensitized samples had potential application as green phosphors.     

Tracing mechanism of optically and thermally stimulated luminescence in Lu_2O_3:Tb,M(M=Hf,Zr,Ti)ceramic storage phosphors

A series of energy storage phosphors,Lu_2O_3:Tb,M(M=Hf,Zr,Ti),were investigated by means of photoand thermoluminescence techniques to compare the effect of the co-dopant from the same group of periodic table of elements on charge carriers trapping capability and trap parameters.Most of the investigated processes were tracked individually for the Tb~(3+) in the two different metal sites offered by the Lu_2O_3 host-noncentrosymmetric C_2 and centrosymmetric C_(3i).It is proved that both Tb~(3+)ions participate in hole trapping and electrons are immobilized in traps whose depths are defined by the codopant.Deepest traps,～1.79 eV,appear upon Ti addition,while Zr and Hf generate traps of very similar,～1.40-1.44 eV,depths.The stored energy may be released not only by means of thermal stimulation but also upon the impact of optical photons.Light from the 390-430 nm range of wavelengths was found the most efficient in the latter process.Also deep red radiation of 780 nm releases most of the trapped electrons in Zr/Hf co-doped ceramics but is much less effective in the case of Tb,Ti material.Consistent scheme of electronic levels engaged in charge carriers trapping and subsequent generation of thermoand optically stimulated luminescence was constructed.     

Structure and luminescence properties of color-tunable phosphor Sr2La3(SiO4)3F:Tb3+,Sm3+

A series of single-phase and color-tunable phosphors Sr₂La₃(SiO₄)₃F:0.15Tb³⁺,xSm³⁺(SLSOF:0.15Tb³⁺,xSm³⁺) was prepared using solid-state route.The X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to characterize the phase of the as-prepared samples.The synthesized phosphors have apatite-type structure without other impurities.Sm³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions substitute La³⁺ into the lattice and form a single...     

Physicochemical properties of Li3Ba2La3(MoO4)8:Eu,Tb red-emitting phosphor for solid state white lamps

In this work,combustion synthesis was used for the first time to fabricate a phosphor material with red emission for applications in solid-state white-light lamps.We synthesized a material with emission wavelength at λ_em=617 nm,excited under long UV-blue wavelength based on Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺-activated molybdates Li₃Ba₂(La_1-x-yEu_xTb_y)₃(MoO₄)₈ with 0 ≤ x ≤1 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 1.A series of pow...