The sol-gel process synthesis of GdAl3(BO3)4:Eu3+ nanophosphors

GdAl3(BO3)4:Eu3+ red phosphors were prepared using citric acid as complex agent by sol-gel technique. The preparation conditions of the precursor synthesis, including crystallization temperature and crystallization time were investigated. Their structure and luminescence properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that GdAl3(BO3)4:Eu3+ phosphor crystallized at 960 degrees C for 2 h have been synthesized by sol-gel method. The phosphor is distributed into hexagonal system and the lattice parameters are a = 9.2992 nm c = 7.2577 nm. The excitation spectrum of Gd(0.95)Al3(BO3)4:Eu(0.05)3+ samples is complex and the frequency scale is wide. It consists of a number of main excitation transitions namely 8S(7/2) --> 6IJ (270 nm) of Gd3+, and the others 7F0 --> 5L6 (400 nm), 7F0 --> 5D2 (472 nm) and 7F0 --> 5D1 (542 nm) of Eu3+. The main emission peaks are 614 nm and 619 nm, which are the characteristic emission peaks of Eu3+. These emission peaks correspond to the transition from 5D0 to 7F2 of Eu3+. The shape and the wavelength range of the emission spectrum are similar when the sample was excited by different excitation spectrum. Only the relative intensity of the emission peaks is different from each other.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties behavior of Eu(3+)-doped nanocrystalline and bulk GdVO4 phosphors by high-energy ball milling and solid state reaction

Europium-doped nanosized-GdVO4:Eu3+ powders and bulk GdVO4:Eu3+ powders were synthesized using a planetary ball mill and conventional solid state reaction method, respectively. The effects of the grain size on the crystallinity, morphology, structure and luminescence spectra were investigated by X-ray diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The room temperature PL spectra of the GdVO4:Eu3+ nanophosphors showed four emission bands at 611, 615, 619 and 595 nm. The bands at 611, 615 and 619 nm were assigned to the 5D0 --> 7F2 transition of the EU3+ ion when excited with 312 nm light.     

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.     

Nanostructured CaWO4, CaWO4:Eu3+ and CaWO4:Tb3+ particles: sonochemical synthesis and luminescent properties

Nanostructured CaWO4, CaWO4:Eu3+, and CaWO4:Tb3+ phosphor particles were synthesized via a facile sonochemical route. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, low voltage cathodoluminescence spectra, and photoluminescence lifetimes were used to characterize the as-obtained samples. The X-ray diffraction results indicate that the samples are well crystallized with the scheelite structure of CaWO4. The transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy images illustrate that the powders consist of spherical particles with sizes from 120 to 160 nm, which are the aggregates of even smaller nanoparticles ranging from 10 to 20 nm. Under UV light or electron beam excitation, the CaWO4 powder exhibited a blue emission band with a maximum at 430 nm originating from the WO4/2- groups, while the CaWO4:Eu3+ powder showed red emission dominated by 613 nm ascribed to the 5D0 --> 7F2 of Eu3+, and the CaWO4:Tb3+ powders showed emission at 544 nm, ascribed to the 5D4 --> 7F5 transition of Tb3+. The PL excitation and emission spectra suggest that the energy is transferred from WO4/2- to Eu3+ CaWO4:Eu3+ and to Tb3+ in CaWO4:Tb3+. Moreover, the energy transfer from WO4/2- to Tb3+ in CaWO4:Tb3+ is more efficient than that from WO4/2- to EU3+ in CaWO4:Eu3+. This novel and efficient pathway could open new opportunities for further investigating the novel properties of tungstate materials.     

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.     

Eu2+、Dy3+、Li+共掺杂CaSi2O2N2荧光粉的发光性能

采用高温固相反应法制备了一系列白光LED用CaSi2O2N2:0.05Eu2+,xDy3+,xLi+(0≤x≤0.03)荧光粉.利用X射线衍射仪对样品的物相结构进行了分析,结果表明:Dy3+和Li+离子的掺入没有改变CaSi2O2N2:Eu2+荧光粉的主晶相.利用荧光光谱仪对样品的发光性能进行了测试,发现所有样品的激发光谱均覆盖了从近紫外到蓝光的较宽范围,400 nm激发下得到的发射光谱为宽波段的单峰,峰值位于545 nm左右,是Eu2+离子5d-4f电子跃迁引起的.Dy3+离子掺杂可以提高CaSi2O2N2:Eu2+荧光粉的发光强度,Dy3+与Li+共掺杂可进一步提高荧光粉的发光强度,当Dy3+和Li+的掺杂量为1mol%时,荧光粉的发光强度达到最大值,是单掺杂Eu2+的荧光粉发光强度的157%.     

表面效应对YAG:Eu3+纳米晶发光特性的影响研究

分别采用沉淀法和燃烧法制备了YAG:1%Eu3+纳米晶粉末,用XRD和TEM对样品进行了结构分析和形貌表征。室温光谱分析表明,其发射主峰位于590nm,来源于5 D0→7F1跃迁,另外来源于5 D0→7F4跃迁的709nm发射也较强。另外发现,燃烧法制备的样品在不同激发波长激发时,发射光谱峰形有显著变化。对沉淀法制备的纳米微粒经盐酸"浸蚀"表面修饰后,发现395nm激发时,676nm和693nm发光显著增强,而且693nm发射的激发谱中存在两个宽激发带。对表面修饰后样品的变温发光特性研究发现,随着温度的降低,676nm发射显著增强,而693nm发射显著减弱。对于上述现象通过纳米微粒的表面效应和缺陷态进行了分析和解释。     

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 visible emission of Er-doped 12CaO x 7Al2O3 powder

Er(3+)-doped 12CaO x 7Al2O3 (C12A7:Er3+) powders were prepared using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectra and absorption spectra showed that C12A7:Er3+ powder had been obtained. Sharp and intense Er(3+)-related emission from C12A7:Er3+ powder with different Er3+ concentrations in the visible region at room temperature was investigated by analyzing the local structure of Ca atoms in C12A7, and it revealed that cation sites with low symmetry of the host were beneficial to the photoluminescence of Er3+ ions. The emission lines were attributed to two types of Er3+ centers, isolated Er3+ ions and complex centers formed by aggregation of Er3+ ions. The PL intensity might be affected by free oxygen species relative to Er3+ ions formed by charge compensation. The inverse temperature dependent luminescence from the upper level of 2H11/2 state and that from the lower level of 4S3/2 state implied that the thermalization or thermal equilibrium of electrons between the two closely emission states occurred.     

Preparation and luminescent properties of YVO4:Eu3+ nanofibers by electrospinning

This paper describes a procedure based on electrospinning for generating europium-doped yttrium vanadate (YVO4:Eu3+) nanofibers with diameters ranging from 30 to 50 nm. The YVO4:Eu3+ nanofibers were obtained through calcining precursory nanofibers, which were prepared through the electrospinning method. Suitable electrospinning parameters, such as concentration of PVP in solution, spinneret tip-to-collector plate distance (TCD), and applied voltage between spinneret and collector plate, are used to obtain thinner and more uniform precursory nanofibers of YVO4:Eu3+, which is important for preparing smaller diameter pure YVO4:Eu3+ nanofibers. The luminescent properties of the YVO4:Eu3+ nanofibers including excitation and emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime were studied. The excitation spectrum shows a broad band extending from 200 to 350 nm, which corresponds to the strong vanadate absorption in YVO4:Eu3+. The emission spectrum is dominated by the red 5D0 --> 7F2 hypersensitive transition of Eu3+. The fluorescence lifetime of Eu3+ 5D0 --> 7F2 (619 nm) is determined to be 493 micros at room temperature, which is basically in accordance with that in the bulk (521 micros).     

One-step synthesis and luminescent properties of nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu3+ powders

In this paper, nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu3+ powders have been successfully synthesized via high-temperature solution-phase synthesis process. The nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu3+ particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV/Nis absorption spectra and luminescence spectra, luminescence decay curve and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) respectively. The as-prepared nanocrystalline YVO4:Eu3+ particles are well crystallized with ellipsoidal morphology. The emission of YVO4:Eu3+ particles show emission originating from the 5D0 level, with 5D0-7F2 at 616 nm as the most prominent group. The excitation spectrum fits basically with the absorption spectrum from the vanadate ions. FT-IR and XPS spectra indicate that the surface ligands of nanocrystalline particles were oleic acid and oleylamine. The lifetime for the luminescence of Eu3+ in the as-prepared YVO4:Eu3+ samples are shorter than that of the bulk material due to the absorption of organic ligands on the nanoparticle surface.     

Quantum efficiency and surface passivation effect of nanocrystalline Y2O3:Eu3+

Cubic nano-crystalline Y2O3:Eu3+ powders with different grain sizes were produced by chemical auto-combustion, and their structure, morphology, and fluorescent spectra were characterized. The quantum efficiency of the 5D0 level of Eu3+ was estimated, taking into account the energy transfer between Eu3+ ions located at C2 and S6 sites. Ag+ ions were introduced into the synthesis of the nanosized particles to modify the surface defects, resulting in increased emission intensity. These results indicated that the nanosized Y2O3:Eu3+ exhibits maximum internal quantum efficiency close to 90% after Ag+ ions are introduced into the synthesis of Y2O3:Eu3+. From the experimental results, it was concluded that the Ag+ ions are probably absorbed by the nanoparticle surface and do not enter the nanoparticle lattice. It was also found that the Ag+ ions can repair the surface defects and make the absorption of excitation light more efficient.     

Sol-gel fabrication and photoluminescence properties of SiO2 @ Gd2O3:Eu3+ core-shell particles

A uniform nanolayer of europium-doped Gd2O3 was coated on the surface of preformed submicron silica spheres by a Pechini sol-gel process. The resulted SiO2 @ Gd2O3:Eu3+ core-shell structured phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays. The XRD results show that the Gd2O3:Eu3+ layers start to crystallize on the SiO2 spheres after annealing at 400 degrees C and the crystallinity increases with raising the annealing temperature. The core-shell phosphors possess perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size: 640 nm) and non-agglomeration. The thickness of the Gd2O3:Eu3+ shells on the SiO2 cores can be adjusted by changing the deposition cycles (70 nm for three deposition cycles). Under short UV excitation, the obtained SiO2@Gd2O3:Eu3+ particles show a strong red emission with 5D0-7F2 (610 nm) of Eu3+ as the most prominent group. The PL intensity of Eu3+ increases with increasing the annealing temperature and the number of coating cycles.     

Spherical SiO2 @ GdPO4: Eu3+ core-shell phosphors: sol-gel synthesis and characterization

Nanocrystalline GdPO4 : Eu3+ phosphor layers were coated on non-aggregated, monodisperse and spherical SiO2 particles by Pechini sol-gel method, resulting in the formation of core-shell structured SiO2 @ GdPO4 : Eu3+ particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), low-voltage cathodoluminescence (CL), time-resolved PL spectra and lifetimes were used to characterize the core-shell structured materials. Both XRD and FT-IR results indicate that GdPO4 layers have been successfully coated on the SiO2 particles, which can be further verified by the images of FESEM and TEM. Under UV light excitation, the SiO2 @ GdPO4 : Eu3+ phosphors show orange-red luminescence with Eu3+ 5D0-7F1 (593 nm) as the most prominent group. The PL excitation and emission spectra suggest that an energy transfer occurs from Gd3+ to Eu3+ in SiO2 @ GdPO4 : Eu3+ phosphors. The obtained core-shell phosphors have potential applications in FED and PDP devices.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Sr2SiO4: Eu3+, Dy3+ phosphors by the sol-gel method

The Sr2SiO4:Eu3+, Dy3+ phosphors for white light emitting diodes (LEDs) were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The microstructure and luminescent properties of the obtained Sr2SiO4:Eu3+, Dy3+ particles were well characterized. The results demonstrate that the Sr2SiO4:Eu3+, Dy3+ particles, which have spherical morphology, emitted an intensive white light emission under excitation at 386 nm. The phosphors show three emission peaks: the blue emission at 486 nm corresponding to the 4F(9/2)-6H(15/2) transition of Dy3+, the yellow emission at 575 nm corresponding to the 4F(9/2)-6H(13/2) transition of Dy3+, and the red emission at 615 nm corresponding to the 5D0-7F2 transition of Eu3+. At the same time, the effect of Eu3+ concentration on the emission intensities of Sr2SiO4:Eu3+, Dy3+ was investigated in detail. The phosphors used for white LEDs were obtained by combining near ultraviolet (NUV) light (386 nm) with Sr2SiO4:0.04Dy3+, 0.01Eu3+ phosphors with the characteristic of Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinate (x, y) of (0.33, 0.34), and color temperature Tc of 5,603 K. In addition, the effect of the charge compensators (Li+, Na+, and K+ ions) on the photoluminescence (PL) emission intensities were studied.     

Luminescence properties of cubic HfO2-Sc2O3:Eu3+ nano-powders

The cubic nano-structured HfO2-Sc2O3:Eu3+ were successfully synthesized via a combustion process. Phase evolution of the synthesized powders was determined by X-ray diffraction measurements. Pure cubic phase of HfO2-Sc2O3 solid solution was obtained after being calcined at 800 degrees C for 2 h.The particle size and morphology were analyzed by TEM. The luminescence properties were also investigated. Photoluminescence spectra of Eu3+ doped HfO2-Sc2O3 nano-powders showed red emission at 613 nm which corresponds to the 5D0-7F2 transition of Eu3+ ion.     

Luminescence properties of nano-sized Sr2MgSiO5: Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors prepared by the sol-gel method

Nano-sized Sr2MgSiO5:Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphor was synthesized by the sol-gel method. The preparation conditions of the precursor were determined. The effect of Eu2+ and Mn2+ content on the luminescence intensity was studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectra (PL), and photoluminescence excitation spectra (PLE) were used to characterize the samples. The results showed that the excitation bands ranged from 250 to 450 nm, and their peaks positioned around 365 nm. The emission spectrum consists of three bands: blue, green, and red, respectively. The blue and green emission bands originate from the center of the Eu2+, while the red emission band is attributed to the energy transfer from Eu2+ to Mn2+. White light can be obtained by mixing the three emission colors. The experiment results show that the Sr2MgSiO5:Eu2+, Mn2+ is a single host phosphor with superior properties for use in white light emitting diodes (white LED).     

Hydrothermal synthesis and size-enhanced chromaticity of Sr2ZnSi2O7:Eu3+ nanoparticles

Red phosphor Sr2ZnSi2O7:Eu3+ nanoparticles with an average diameter of 20 nm were successfully synthesized via a low-temperature hydrothermal route in order to understand the underlying relationship between size and luminescent properties. The nanometer-sized particles result in a distinct improvement in chromaticity and a high quenching concentration. According to emission spectra, the relative intensity of the 5D0 --> 7F2 to 5D0 --> 7F1 transitions in nanometer-sized phosphors is higher than that of the corresponding bulk material. The better chromaticity results from the more distorted lattices and relatively lower crystal symmetry around the Eu3+ ions, which is ascribed to the large surface area due to the nanometer size of the phosphor. Moreover, the nanometer-sized Sr2ZnSi2O7:Eu3+ red phosphor exhibits a shorter fluorescent lifetime and a blue-shift in excitation spectra compared to that of its bulk counterpart. These results indicate that size-induced enhancement of luminescent properties is an efficient way to obtain red phosphors with better chromaticity.     

Cr~（3＋）离子掺杂对Al_2O_3粉末结构及发光性能影响

采用球磨法制备了不同浓度Cr_2O_3掺杂的Al_2O_3粉体,并在700℃、1200℃空气中退火2 h。1200℃退火后样品,除掺杂浓度为1.6%的样品中出现少量γ-Al_2O_3相外,其余样品相均为纯α-Al_2O_3。样品晶格常数随着Cr~（3＋）离子浓度的增加而增加。采用波长为579 nm的激发光源对佯品进行荧...     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-activated SrZnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Synthesis, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence (PL) investigations of SrZnO₂ doped with Eu³⁺ were carried out in order to characterize the material. The emission spectra showed a broad band emission at 525 nm attributed to oxygen defect centers in the host matrix, along with peaks corresponding to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F _j (j = 1, 2) transitions of Eu ion under 250 nm excitation. PL decay time studies were done to confirm these investigations. Time-resolved emission spectrometric (TRES) study was carried out to extract the emission spectra of the Eu ion which was buried under the broad band emission. After giving suitable delay times and by choosing a proper time gate, transitions due to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F _j (j = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4) could be observed. Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters and other radiative properties for the system were evaluated from this emission spectrum and decay time data by adopting standard procedure. The color coordinates of the system were also evaluated and plotted on a standard CIE index diagram. The observations showed that the SrZnO₂:Eu³⁺material has near white light emission (also considering the emission from host) whereas, the extracted emission spectrum due to only Eu ions has a near red emission.