Effect of Zn and Li codoping ions on nanosized Gd2O3:Eu phosphor

Nanosized Gd_1.92−x−yZn_xLi_yEu_0.08O_3−δ phosphor was fabricated by combustion synthesis. The effect of Zn²⁺ and Li⁺ ions on the crystallization behavior, morphology, and luminescence property of Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ was investigated. The results indicated that incorporation of Zn²⁺ and Li⁺ ions into Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanoparticles (NPs) could lead to a remarkable increase of photoluminescence or X-ray excited luminescence, and the intensity at 612 nm was increased by a factor of 7.1 or 21.5 in comparison with that of undoped sample. The enhanced luminescence was regarded as the results of the creation of oxygen vacancies due to the Gd³⁺ sites occupied by Li⁺ ions, the alteration of the crystal field surrounding the activator Eu³⁺ ions owing to the incorporation Zn²⁺ ions into interstitial sites, and the flux effect of Zn²⁺ and Li⁺ ions. The Zn- and Li-codoped Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor with highly enhanced luminescence is very encouraging for applications in high-resolution display devices.     

Preparation and its luminescent properties of AlPO4:Eu phosphor for w-LED applications

Orange-reddish-emitting phosphor AlPO₄:Eu³⁺ were fabricated by solid-state reactions at high temperature. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that AlPO₄ doped with 3 mol% of Eu³⁺ (AlPO₄:0.03Eu³⁺) was pure orthorhombic phase. The photoluminescence study shows that the intensity of magnetic dipole transition (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁) at 594 nm dominates over that of electric dipole transition (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂) at 613 nm. The optimum concentration of Eu³⁺ for the highest luminescence is found to be 3 mol%. The PL excitation spectrum is composed of CTB of Eu-O and excitation lines of Eu³⁺ ions. The strongest excitation lines appeared at 392 nm. The color coordinates, quantum yield and lifetime for AlPO₄:0.03Eu³⁺ were measured. All the spectrum features indicate that AlPO₄:Eu³⁺ might be a promising phosphor for display devices or w-LEDs.     

Vitreous phase coating on glaserite-type alkaline earth silicate blue phosphor BaCa2MgSi2O8:Eu

A simple solid-state reaction was used to apply a vitreous-phase coating onto Eu²⁺-doped BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈ blue-phosphor particles. The vitreous phase was generated by liquid phase sintering at 1200 °C. The coated phosphor exhibited resistant to an acid dispersant. When a small amount of Al and La was added in raw materials, they were incorporated in the vitreous coating phase.     

Photoluminescence and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy of novel NaBa4(BO3)3:Tb phosphor

This paper reports the photoluminescence (PL) properties of Tb³⁺ in NaBa₄(BO₃)₃, as well as the time-resolved luminescence properties. The PL excitation spectrum exhibits intense f → f transition absorption; the PL emission spectrum shows the strongest ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ emission at 540 nm. The relative intensity of ⁵D₃ emission is much weaker than that of ⁵D₄ emission even in the samples with lower Tb³⁺ concentration. The ⁵D₃ → ⁵D₄ cross-relaxation produces a marked increase in the ⁵D₃ decay rate with increasing Tb³⁺ concentrations and introduces a non-exponential component into the initial part of the decay. The dipole-dipole interaction is found to be responsible for the cross-relaxation. The decay curves of ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition exhibit an initial rise phenomenon. The two exponential fitting indicates that the initial slow rise is attributed to the ⁵D₃ → ⁵D₄ cross-relaxation process.     

Synthesis, photoluminescence, thermoluminescence and dosimetry properties of novel phosphor KSr4(BO3)3:Ce

Polycrystalline powder sample of KSr₄(BO₃)₃ was synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction. The influence of different rare earth dopants, i.e. Tb³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Ce³⁺, on thermoluminescence (TL) of KSr₄(BO₃)₃ phosphor was discussed. The TL, photoluminescence (PL) and some dosimetric properties of Ce³⁺-activated KSr₄(BO₃)₃ phosphor were studied. The effect of the concentration of Ce³⁺ on TL intensity was investigated and the result showed that the optimum Ce³⁺ concentration was 0.2 mol%. The TL kinetic parameters of KSr₄(BO₃)₃:0.002 Ce³⁺ phosphor were calculated by computer glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) method. Characteristic emission peaking at about 407 and 383 nm due to the 4f⁰5d¹ → ²F_{(5/2, 7/2)} transitions of Ce³⁺ ion were observed both in PL and three-dimensional (3D) TL spectra. The dose–response of KSr₄(BO₃)₃:0.002 Ce³⁺ to γ-ray was linear in the range from 1 to 1000 mGy. In addition, the decay of the TL intensity of KSr₄(BO₃)₃:0.002 Ce³⁺ was also investigated.     

Enhanced photoluminescence of BaMgAl10O17:Eu nanophosphor for PDP application

BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ nanorods were synthesized by sol-gel technique, and their luminescent properties were investigated upon the irradiation of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light. By introducing surfactant cetyl-tri-methyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) in sol-gel process and additional Mg²⁺ in the raw materials, the emission intensity and thermal stability of the nanophosphor were both enhanced. The above improvements made it possible that the nanosized BAM phosphor could be a good alternative for PDP application.     

Nano-sized Y2O3:Eu hollow spheres with enhanced photoluminescence properties

Nano-sized Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ hollow spheres were fabricated via a facile strategy including preparation of the hollow precursor and a later calcination. Moreover, the growth process of these hollow spheres was monitored by time-dependent experiments and their luminescence properties were also intensively studied. The products exhibit strong red emitting at 613 nm under ultraviolet excitation and control experiments were carried out to optimize the synthetic conditions. It was found 850 °C calcination with 9 mol% doping level could give out the best photoluminescence performance. Moreover, a possible mechanism for the enhanced PL performance was also proposed based on the FT-IR investigation.     

Correlation between the surface state and optical properties of S6 site and C2 site in nanocrystalline Eu:Y2O3

Eu³⁺ doped Y₂O₃ nanocrystals are synthesized via precipitation and hydrothermal methods. With the increase of hydrothermal temperature, the number of surface states decreases when nanorods are formed. The decrease of surface states induces the increase in the ratio of S₆ site to C₂ site, and meanwhile results in the spectral red-shift of charge transfer band as well as the enhancement of red emission. The results indicate that the surface states and optical properties have close correlations.     

Effects of sucrose concentration on morphology and luminescence performance of Gd2O3:Eu nanocrystals

Red Gd₂O₃:Eu nanophosphors were prepared by novel sucrose-assisted combustion method. The sucrose hydrolysis and complexing procedures were discussed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The effect of sucrose-to-metal ratio (S:M) on morphology and luminescence intensity of Gd₂O₃:Eu nanocrystals were investigated. And the optimum ratio was found to be S:M = 7:1, as confirmed by the results of scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The highest photoluminescence emission from the particles obtained at S:M = 7:1 was about 85% of the commercial red phosphors.     

Magnetic and photoluminescence properties of Fe3O4@SiO2@YP1−xVxO4:Dy nanocomposites

In this paper, we report on the bifunctional Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@YP_0.1V_0.9O₄:Dy³⁺ nanocomposites were prepared by the solvothermal method and sol-gel method. The structure, photoluminescence (PL) and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, PL excitation and emission spectra and vibration sample magnetometry. It is shown that Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@YP_0.1V_0.9O₄:Dy³⁺ nanocomposites with a core-shell structure present excellent fluorescent and magnetic properties. Additionally, the effects of the magnetic field on the luminescence properties of nanocomposites were discussed.     

Polymer-assisted sol–gel synthesis and characterization of Zn2SiO4:Eu powders

The synthesis of nanophosphors for various applications and the improvement of their working parameters constitute one of the most topical problems of nowadays technology. Zinc-silicate has been extensively used as host material for phosphors in cathode ray tubes, and nowadays for phosphors in electroluminescent devices. In this work we present novel synthesis procedure for obtaining Zn₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺ powder, based on the combination of standard sol–gel and modified combustion method. Influence of preparation conditions on the structure and morphology are analyzed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Luminescence properties of Eu³⁺ are investigated with fluorescence emission and lifetime measurements.     

Multiwavelength excited novel red-emitting phosphor Eu-activated Li2Zn2(MoO4)3

Eu³⁺-activated Li₂Zn₂(MoO₄)₃ multiwavelength excited red-emitting phosphors were synthesized via a solid state reaction. The structure and photoluminescence characteristics were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and fluorescent spectrophotometry, respectively. The excitation spectrum included a strong broadband ranging from 250 to 350 nm and some sharp peaks at 363, 384, 395, 465, and 533 nm, which matchs the radiations of near-UV or blue light-emitting diodes chip well. Upon excitation either of near-UV or blue even green light, the intense red emission with 615 nm peak can be observed, which is ascribed to the ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. The chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.65, y = 0.34) of the as-obtained phosphor is very close to the National Television Standard Committee standard values (x = 0.67, y = 0.33). All these characteristics suggest that Eu³⁺-doped Li₂Zn₂(MoO₄)₃ wavelength-conversion material to be suitable candidate red component for phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes.     

A novel red-emitting phosphors K2Ba (MoO4)2: Eu, Sm and improvement of luminescent properties for light emitting diodes

The novel red-emitting phosphors K₂Ba(MoO₄)₂: Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺ were prepared by solid-state reaction and their crystal structures, photo luminescent characteristics were investigated. The results show that all samples can be excited efficiently by UV (397 nm) and blue (466 nm) light, which are coupled well with the characteristic emission from UVLED and blue LED, respectively. A small amount of Sm³⁺, acting as a sensitizer, increased the energy absorption around 400 nm. In the Eu³⁺-Sm³⁺ co-doped system, both Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺ f-f transition absorptions are observed in the excitation spectra, the intensities of the main emission line (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ at 616 nm) are strengthened because of the energy transition from Sm³⁺ to Eu³⁺. The doping concentration of Eu³⁺-Sm³⁺ was optimized. The approach to charge compensation was used: Ba²⁺ → Eu³⁺/Sm³⁺ + X⁻ (X = F, Cl, and Br), and the influence of charge compensation on the luminescent intensity of phosphors is investigated.     

Effects of Bi doping on the optical properties of Er:Y2O3

The influences of Bi³⁺ doping on the optical properties of Er³⁺:Y₂O₃ are investigated under UV and IR excitations. The emission intensity of Er³⁺ is remarkably enhanced by the introduction of Bi³⁺ under both two excitations. The emission enhancement under UV excitation originates from the energy transfer from Bi³⁺ to Er³⁺, while under IR excitation it can be attributed to the modification of the local crystal field around the Er³⁺.     

Effect of Bi doping on the quenching concentration of H11/2/S3/2 level of Er

Bi³⁺ and Er³⁺ codoped Y₂O₃ was prepared by sol-gel method. The upconversion emission was investigated under 980 nm excitation. For samples without Bi³⁺, the quenching concentration of ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2 level of Er³⁺ is 3.0 mol%. However, by 1.5 mol% Bi³⁺ doping the quenching concentration increases to 5.0 mol%; meanwhile, the green emission is enhanced 1.9 times. The results indicate that both the quenching concentration and the emission intensity of ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2 level can be increased by Bi³⁺ doping.     

Luminescence properties of a new blue-emitting phosphor Ce-doped CaLaGa3S7

A new series of blue-emitting Ce³⁺-doped CaLaGa₃S₇ thiogallate chalcogenide phosphors were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. Their luminescence properties were investigated by photoluminescence excitation, emission spectra and lifetime. The critical dopant concentration was found to be 0.15 mol of Ce³⁺ (R_c = 15 Å) and the fluorescence lifetime of Ce³⁺ in CaLaGa₃S₇:0.15 Ce³⁺ was 12.9 ns. The blue-emitting LED was fabricated by combining an InGaN chip (395 nm) with a CaLaGa₃S₇:Ce³⁺ phosphor. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of the blue LED were calculated to be (0.14, 0.23).     

Influence of niobium doping on phase composition and defect-mediated photoluminescence properties of Eu-doped TiO2 nanopowders synthesized in Ar/O2 thermal plasma

Nb⁵⁺:Eu³⁺-codoped TiO₂ nanopowders for chemical composition adjustment have been synthesized via Ar/O₂ radio-frequency thermal plasma. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that all the resultant powders exhibited mixture polymorphs of anatase (mean size: ∼45 nm) as the major phase and rutile (mean size: ∼71 nm). Rutile formation was promoted by the Eu³⁺ doping but suppressed by the Nb⁵⁺ addition. Combined observation using FE-SEM and TEM indicates that all the plasma-synthesized powders had a majority of facet-shaped particles (several nanometers) and a small proportion of nearly spherical crystals (∼150 nm). For the defect-mediated photoluminescence (PL) emission through the energy transfer from the TiO₂ host to the Eu³⁺ activator, the PL intensity originating from the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ electronic transition weakened but that from the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ electronic transition strengthened with increasing Nb⁵⁺ content. This may be a result of the decrease in the oxygen vacancy defects in the TiO₂ host lattice, as revealed by the joint means of UV-vis absorption spectra and excitation and emission spectra.     

Luminescent properties of Na3Gd1−xEux(PO4)2 and energy transfer in these phosphors

A series of Eu³⁺ activated Na₃Gd_1−xEu_x(PO₄)₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The structures and photo-luminescent properties of these phosphors were investigated at room temperature. The results of XRD patterns indicate that these phosphors are isotypic to the orthorhombic Na₃Gd(PO₄)₂. The excitation spectra indicate that these phosphors can be effectively excited by near UV (370-410 nm) light. The intensities of magnetic dipole transition ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ and forced electric dipole transition ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ are comparable, and the energy ratio (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁/⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂) is 1.1. The emission spectra exhibit strong reddish orange performance (CIE chromaticity coordinates: x = 0.62, y = 0.38), which is due to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. The correlation between the structure and the photo-luminescent properties of the phosphors was studied. The energy transfer and concentration quenching of the phosphors were discussed. Na₃Gd_1−xEu_x(PO₄)₂ has a potential application for white light-emitting diodes.     

Characterization of paramagnetic KHo(WO4)2 nanocrystals: Synthesized by polymeric mixed-metal precursor sol-gel method

Nanocrystalline KHo(WO₄)₂ (KHW) particles were successfully synthesized via conventional Pechini sol-gel method. Prepared precursor gel was calcined at 250, 550, 600, 650 and 700 °C, and the resulting samples were analyzed with TG-DTA, powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, Raman, FESEM, TEM, UV-Vis-NIR (diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS)), fluorescence and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Thermal degradation of derived gel was observed up to 400 °C and phase formation starts from 550 °C. The product phase formation at higher annealing temperature was investigated by means of powder XRD. Organic liberation in the samples with respect to temperature was analyzed using FT-IR spectrum. Raman spectrum reveals the formation of tungsten ribbons as well as the quality of the samples while increasing the calcination temperature. The nano size of the synthesized particles was confirmed with FESEM and TEM micrographs. Reflectance and emission studies reveal the corresponding absorption and emission properties of trivalent state holmium ion. Paramagnetic behavior of the derived KHW was confirmed with VSM results.