Photoluminescence studies of Ce3+ ion-doped BiPO4 phosphor and its photocatalytic activity

Ce³⁺ ion doped BiPO₄ phosphors were synthesized by co-precipitation method using ethylene glycol as capping agent. The prepared phosphors were characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and PL spectroscopy techniques. The formation of monoclinic phase was confirmed from XRD and FT-IR studies. SEM study revealed the rice shape morphology of BiPO₄:Ce³⁺ (7at.%). In the photoluminescence analysis, a broad emission band extending in a wide wavelengths range with maxima around 419 and 470 nm was observed under excitation at 370 and 417 nm, respectively. These emission bands are originated from the electronic transitions, viz., 5d → ²F_5/2, ²F_7/2 of Ce³⁺ ion. The emission intensity was accentuated with the increase of Ce³⁺ ion till 7at.% and subsequently attenuated with further increase of Ce³⁺ ion concentration; which is due to the concentration quenching effect. The BiPO₄:Ce³⁺ (7at.%) sample was characterized for the feasibility of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under UV light irradiation and degradation of 90% of the dye was degraded within 120 minutes was observed. From the results, it is believed that the prepared BiPO₄:Ce³⁺ may have potential applications in solid state lighting as well as in photocatalysis for the degradation of organic dyes.