Photoluminescence of ZnO:Eu3+ nanoflowers

The synthesis of ZnO:Eu3+ nanoflowers by a low-temperature hydrothermal route is described. Characterization of the materials was performed by ESEM, XRD and FTIR spectra. The 355 nm excited photoluminescence spectra at 10 K do not indicate the presence of Eu2+ or the ZnO defect states which give rise to green or red broadband emission. Excitation into the ZnO conduction band at low temperature does not give emission from Eu3+. Selective excitation of the Eu3+ emission shows that EU3+ ions occupy a variety of different sites, of which one of them is similar to EU3+ in C-type Eu2O3.     

Room temperature enhanced red emission from novel Eu(3+) doped ZnO nanocrystals uniformly dispersed in nanofibers

Achieving red emission from ZnO-based materials has long been a goal for researchers in order to realize, for instance, full-color display panels and solid-state light-emitting devices. However, the current technique using Eu(3+) doped ZnO for red emission generation has a significant drawback in that the energy transfer from ZnO to Eu(3+) is inefficient, resulting in a low intensity red emission. In this paper, we report an efficient energy transfer scheme for enhanced red emission from Eu(3+) doped ZnO nanocrystals by fabricating polymer nanofibers embedded with Eu(3+) doped ZnO nanocrystals to facilitate the energy transfer. In the fabrication, ZnO nanocrystals are uniformly dispersed in polymer nanofibers prepared by the high electrical field electrospinning technique. Enhanced red emission without defect radiation from the ZnO matrix is observed. Three physical mechanisms for this observation are provided and explained, namely a small ZnO crystal size, uniformity distribution of ZnO nanocrystals in polymers (PVA in this case), and strong bonding between ZnO and polymer through the -OH group bonding. These explanations are supported by high resolution transmission emission microscopy measurements, resonant Raman scattering characterizations, photoluminescence spectra and photoluminescence excitation spectra measurements. In addition, two models exploring the 'accumulation layer' and 'depletion layer' are developed to explain the reasons for the more efficient energy transfer in our ZnO nanocrystal system compared to that in the previous reports. This study provides an important approach to achieve enhanced energy transfer from nanocrystals to ions which could be widely adopted in rare earth ion doped materials. These discoveries also provide more insights into other energy transfer problems in, for example, dye-sensitized solar cells and quantum dot solar cells.     

Strong luminescence and efficient energy transfer in Eu3+/Tb3+-codoped ZnO nanocrystals

Single crystalline Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺-codoped ZnO nanocrystals have been synthesized by using a simple co-precipitation method. Successful doping is realized so that strong green and red luminescence can be efficiently excited by ultraviolet and near ultraviolet radiation, demonstrating an efficient energy transfer from ZnO host to rare earth ions. The energy transfer from the ZnO host to Tb³⁺ in ZnO: Tb³⁺ samples and ZnO host to Eu³⁺ in the ZnO: Eu³⁺ samples under UV excitation are investigated. It is found that the red ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ emission of Eu³⁺ ions decreases with increasing temperature but the green ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ emission of Tb³⁺ ions increases with increasing temperature, implying a different energy transfer processes in the two samples. Moreover, energy transfer from Tb³⁺ ions to Eu³⁺ ions in ZnO nanocrystals is also observed by analyzing luminescence spectra and the decay curves. By adjusting the doping concentration, the Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺-codoped ZnO phosphors emit green and red luminescence with chromaticity coordinates near white light region, high color purity and high intensity, indicating that they are promising light-conversion materials and have potential in field emission display devices and liquid crystal display backlights.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of ZnO:Eu3+ nano crystalline via a facile solution method

Different ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystalline were obtained from a facile solution method with two different precipitators. The comparison of photoluminescence property of two different ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystalline was performed. The XRD patterns and the PL spectra indirectly indicate that the dopant Eu3+ ions had entered into the crystal lattices of ZnO. The study on the PL spectra of the as-prepared ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystalline shows that with the change of dopant concentration, the ratio of relative emission intensity of electric dipole transition to magnetic dipole transition changes, which fully expresses that the presence of the inversion centers is associated with the dopant concentration of Eu3+.     

Sol-gel synthesis and luminescence property of ZnO:(La,Eu)Cl nanocomposite thin films

A kind of ZnO:(La, Eu)Cl nanocomposite thin film phosphor with strong red emission was synthesized by the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy characterization indicate that the films were composed of nano-sized grains and a LaOCl phase appeared accompanying with (100) oriented ZnO phase after annealed at 600 °C in oxygen. The photoluminescence properties were investigated by measuring the excitation and emission spectra. These luminescence results suggested that Eu³⁺ ions could incorporate into the LaOCl lattice and charge transfer occurred between LaOCl phase and Eu³⁺ ions. La co-doping with Eu-Cl leads to the improvement of the red luminescence of Eu³⁺ and also suppressed the broad green emission of ZnO host.     

Optical properties and luminescence dynamics of Eu3+-doped terbium orthophosphate nanophosphors

The development of luminescent inorganic nanocrystals (NCs) doped with rare-earth (RE) ions has attracted increasing interest owing to their distinct optical properties and versatile applications in time-resolved bioassays, multiplex biodetection, DNA hybridization and bioimaging. Hexagonal TbPO4:Eu3+ NCs (10-30 nm) were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method assisted with oleic acid (OA) surfactants, which exhibit tunable emissions from green to red by varying the concentration of Eu3+. The Tb3+-to-Eu3+ energy transfer efficiency observed reaches up to 94%. Different from their bulk counterparts, a new interface-state band (316 nm) in addition to the commonly observed spin-forbidden 4f-5d transition band (265 nm) of Tb3+ was found to be dominant in the excitation spectrum of NCs due presumably to the formation of surface TbPO4/OA complexes, which provides an additional excitation antenna in practical utilization. Two kinds of luminescence sites of Eu3+ in TbPO4 NCs, with the site symmetry of C2 or C1, were identified based on the emission spectra at 10 K and room temperature. Furthermore, the photoluminescence (PL) dynamics of Tb3+ ions in pure TbPO4 NCs have been revealed. Compared to the exponential PL decay in bulk counterparts induced by very fast energy migration, the non-exponential decay from 5D4 of Tb3+ in TbPO4 NCs is mainly attributed to the diffusion-limited energy migration due to more rapid energy transfer from Tb3+ to defects than the energy migration among Tb3+.     

Preparation and luminescence properties of LaMgAl11O19:Eu3+ phosphor powder

LaMgAl11O19, is a kind of rare earth aluminate with the hexagonal structure, which has been used as a host material for the luminescence of various rare earth and magnet-like ions. LaMgAl11O19:Eu3+ phosphors have been prepared through the one-pot method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the resulting phosphors. The results of XRD indicated that the phosphors crystallized completely at 1,400 degrees C. In LaMgAl11O19:Eu3+ phosphors, the Eu3+ shows its characteristic red emission at 615 nm (5D0-7F2) upon excitation into 404 nm, with an optimum doping concentration of 15 mol% of La3+ in the host lattices.     

Effect of annealing temperature on the energy transfer in Eu-doped ZnO nanoparticles by chemical precipitation method

Eu-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by the chemical precipitation method and the annealing temperature effect on the structures and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the nanoparticles were briefly investigated. The X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy results indicated that the Eu³⁺ was successfully incorporated into the crystal lattice of ZnO host when the annealing temperature was fixed at 400 °C, but the Eu³⁺ ions were partly precipitated from the host with the annealing temperature increasing. The as-obtained ZnO: Eu nanocrystals composed of nanoparticles had an average size of 10 nm, and the valence states of europium ions in the nanocrystals were determined as tervalent. PL spectroscopy indicated that the characteristic red emissions of Eu³⁺ ions were attributed to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₀, ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transitions, respectively. Moreover, the annealing temperature was found to have effect on the red emission of Eu³⁺ ions. That is to say, the energy transfer in the doped nanocrystals could be adjusted by different annealing temperatures.     

Optical spectroscopy of Eu3+ ions in tetragonal ZrO2 nanocrystals

A facile solvothermal method was introduced to incorporate Eu3+ ions into the monodisperse tetragonal ZrO2 nanocrystals (NCs) with small size of approximately 4 nm. The optical properties for Eu3+ doped ZrO2 NCs were investigated in detail by using the photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy at room and low temperatures. Intense red emissions from Eu3+ ions could be achieved via the host sensitization, which was found to be much more efficient than the direct excitation of lanthanide ions. Moreover, multiple sites of Eu3+ as well as the host-to-Eu3+ energy transfer were also revealed based on the PL analyses.     

白光LED用红色荧光粉MMoO4:Eu3+（M=Ca,Sr,Ba）的制备与表征

采用高温固相法制备了红色荧光粉MMoO4:Eu3+(M=Ca,Sr,Ba),用XRD和荧光分光光度计对其物相及发光性能进行表征和研究。结果表明,在800℃时可得到MMoO4(M=Ca,Sr,Ba)物相结构。分别以395nm的近紫外光和465nm的可见光激发样品,MMoO4:Eu3+(M=Ca,Sr,Ba)荧光粉发红光,对应于Eu3+的4f-4f跃迁,其中以616nm发光最强。荧光粉在395nm和465nm的吸收分别与紫外光和蓝光LED芯片相匹配。     

Effect of Eu doping concentration on the morphologies and optical properties of ZnO film prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

In this paper, we report a new and simple method to prepare different concentrations in molarities Eu-doped ZnO films on the ITO glass substrates by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The morphologies, crystal structures and optical properties were investigated by using scanning electro microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL). The SEM images show that the morphologies of Eu doping concentrations 3 and 9 at.% of ZnO films are lamellae. When the Eu doping concentration in molarities is 6 at.%, the morphology of films are graininess and dense, particle diameter is about 200–250 nm. The XRD results indicate that when the Eu doping concentration is 6 at.%, the structure of Eu-doped ZnO films have better hexagonal polycrystalline structure, and characteristic diffraction peak of Eu₂O₃ was appeared at 2θ = 50.47°. The PL spectra of different concentrations Eu-doped ZnO films show that for the Eu doping concentration 6 at.%, ZnO film has a stronger red emission at 613 nm with excitation wavelength at 280 nm.     

Re-dispersible Li+ and Eu3+ co-doped nanocrystalline ZnO: luminescence and EPR studies

Nano-crystals of ZnO, Eu3+ doped ZnO, and Li+, Eu3+ co-doped ZnO have been prepared by urea hydrolysis in ethylene glycol medium at 150 degrees C. Ethylene glycol acts as capping agent for nanoparticles. Three colors 437 (blue), 540 (green) and 615 nm (red) from 2 at.% Li+ and 5 at.% Eu3+ co-doped ZnO have been observed from luminescence studies compared to that from 5 at.%. Eu3+ doped ZnO, which shows emission at 437 and 615 nm. It is established that green light is originated from the oxygen vacancy brought by Li+ incorporation into ZnO. Particles are redispersible in organic solvent such as ethanol, and are able to incorporate into polymer-based material such as SiO2 matrix.     

Characterization and luminescence of Eu3+ ions doped 12CaO 7Al2O3 nanopowders

Eu3+ ions doped 12CaO 7Al2O3 (C12A7) powders with different Eu3+ concentrations were prepared by sol-gel combined with solid state reaction method. The results of XRD and Raman spectra showed that single cubic phase polycrystalline C12A7:Eu3+ powders were prepared. The absorption peaks attributed to f-f transition of Eu3+ ion can be observed, indicating that Eu3+ had been incorporated into C12A7 lattice site. Visible PL peaks around 578, 588, 614 nm were ascribed to 5D0 --> 7FJ (J = 0, 1, 2) transitions of Eu3+ under the excitation of 488 nm line. The PL of C12A7:Eu3+ showed the strongest emission intensity at Eu3+ concentration of 0.5 at%. Two different types of Eu3+ centers were identified by the two lines from 5D0 --> 7F0 transition emission. The doping mechanism of C12A7:Eu3+ might be attributed to Eu3+ ions substitution for two types of Ca2+ lattice sites in C12A7. The temperature dependent PL spectra of Eu-doped C12A7 were measured in the range from 100 to 300 K under the excitation of 488 nm laser line. The PL intensities as a function of temperature were well fitted by using a unified theoretical model, considering thermal activation and nonradiative energy transfer processes.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and optical properties of Eu(3+)-doped CaSnO3 nanocrystals

In this paper, CaSnO3:Eu3+ nanocrystals were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis method. The influence of different molar ratio of Ca:Sn on structure of CaSnO3:Eu3+ was investigated by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Well-crystallized and phase-pure CaSnO3:Eu3+ particles of approximately 90 nm in size can be readily obtained at 900 degrees C. Furthermore, photoluminescence characterization of the Eu(3+)-doped CaSnO3 nanocrystals was performed and discussed. The emission peak situated at 618 nm showing prominent and bright red light is due to the 5D0-7F2 electric dipole transition. The excellent luminescence properties make it possible as a good candidate for PDP application.     

Synthesis and improved photoluminescence of Eu:ZnO phosphor

Zinc oxide doped with europium has been prepared by high temperature calcination method using ZnO, Eu₂O₃, and LiOH. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction and optical studies by photoluminescence spectroscopy together give evidence that Eu³⁺ is going to the substitutional site of Zn²⁺. The concentration of chemicals used, sintering temperature, and time are optimized with photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy for a sharp and intense red signal which is a signature of Eu³⁺. Characteristic red emission at 607 nm is observed using high-energy excitation along with the native deep center emission of ZnO peaking around 525 nm.     

Luminescence properties of nano-crystalline Ba3MgSi2O8:Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors

Ba3MgSi2O8:Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors were synthesized by the sol-gel method and high temperature solid-state reaction method, respectively. XRD (X-ray diffraction), FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), PL (photoluminescence spectra), and PLE (photoluminescence excitation spectra) were measured to characterize the samples. Emission and excitation spectra of our Ba3MgSi2O8:Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors monitored at 441, 515, and 614 nm are depicted in the paper. The emission intensities of 441 and 515 nm emission bands increase with increasing Eu2+ concentration, while the peak intensity of the 614 nm band increases with increasing Mn2+ concentration. We conclude that the 515 nm emission band is attributed to the 4f(6)5d transition of Eu2+ ions substituted by Ba2+ sites in Ba2SiO4. The 441 nm emission band originates from Eu2+ ions, while the 614 nm emission band originates from Mn2+ ions of Ba3MgSi2O8:Eu2+, Mn2+. Nano-crystalline Ba3MgSi2O8:Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors prepared by the sol-gel method show higher color rendering and better color temperature in comparison with the samples prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction method.     

Luminescence properties of ZnO/TiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">2</Emphasis></Subscript> nanocomposite activated by Eu<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">3</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Bold">+</Emphasis></Superscript> and their spectroscopic analysis

A new type of novel orange-red emitting Eu-doped ZnO/TiO ₂ nanocomposite phosphors have been synthesized by simple low temperature co-precipitation route. Structure and morphology of the prepared sample have been investigated using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques. XRD pattern confirmed the presence of both phases of ZnO and TiO ₂ simultaneously. The luminescence properties, such as photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, Judd–Ofelt parameters, CIE colour coordinates and the dependence of luminescence intensity on the doping level were investigated. The luminescence spectrum characteristics of Eu ³⁺ ions have a strong dependence on Eu ³⁺ doping levels as well as ZnO/TiO ₂ ratio variations. The photoluminescence results indicate that these phosphors could be efficiently excited by near-ultraviolet radiation, which causes emissions in orange–red regions.     

Luminescent properties of La3PO7:Eu3+ nanoparticles

La3PO7:Eu3+ samples were prepared by combustion and annealing and characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the average size of the particles is about 80 nm. The red emission from the 5D0 --> 7F2 transition of the Eu3+ ions under ultraviolet light excitation is much stronger than the orange emission from the 5D0 --> 7F1 transition. The emission spectra, charge transfer band, laser selective excitation spectra, and time-resolved spectra indicate that symmetry of the local environment of Eu3+ lacks an inversion center and Eu3+ ions occupy at least two types of sites in the La3PO7 crystal. The superior color chromaticity compared to other phosphates and borates doped with Eu3+ means La3PO7:Eu3+ may have potential as a luminescent material.     

Fabrication and luminescent enhancement of Eu3+-doped Y2O3@YOF core-shell nanocrystals

In this paper, a two-step synthesis method for preparing Eu3+ ion-doped Y2O3@YOF core-shell nanocrystals is introduced. Eu3+ ion-doped Y2O3@YOF core-shell nanocrystals were prepared by combining an autocombustion process with a low temperature solid state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) and fluorescence decay were employed to characterize the prepared samples. The results of XRD, TEM and EDS indicated that the products prepared by this method were not a mixture of Y2O3:Eu3+ and YOF:Eu3+ nanocrystals, but Eu3+ ion-doped Y2O3@YOF core-shell nanocrystals. Compared with Y2O3:Eu3+ nanocrystals, a 20% increment in luminescence intensity was observed in the Eu3+ ion-doped Y2O3@YOF core-shell nanocrystals, thus suggesting that coating with a YOF:Eu3+-shell can efficiently block the nonradiative relaxation channels that are induced by surface defect states.     

Shape controlled synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Eu3+-doped REVO4 nanophosphors

Eu3+-doped REVO4 nanphosphors were controllably synthesized by an EDTA-mediated hydrothermal method at 180 degrees C using RE(NO3)3 and Na3VO4 as precursors. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The XRD results showed that the products were pure tetragonal structure and no other impurity phase appeared. The PL studies demonstrated Eu3+ ions doping effectively enhanced luminescent properties of LaxRE(1-x)VO4 and YxRE(1-x)VO4 nanoparticles, but EU3+ ions doping did not enhance luminescent properties of CexRE(1-x)VO4 (x not equal 0) nanoparticles. The prepared phosphors showed well-defined red luminescence due to radiative transitions from 5D0 to 7F(J) (J = 1,2) levels of Eu3+ ions, respectively. Furthermore, we reported Eu3+-doped CexRE(1-x)VO4 (x not equal 0) phases represented a new class of optically inactive materials.