Synthesis,crystal structure and luminescence in Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Bluish green emitting phosphor, Ca₃Al₂O₆:Ce³⁺, is prepared by low-temperature combustion method. X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, scanning electron microscopy techniques are used to characterize the synthesized phosphor. The most efficient bluish green (483 nm) emission is observed under the excitation by near UV light. The emission characteristics are credited to 5d → 4f type transitions in Ce³⁺. The luminescence properties of Eu²⁺ are predicted for the first time from those of Ce³⁺. Also, photoluminescence of Eu³⁺ is studied in the same host. The emission spectrum of Ca₃Al₂O₆:Eu³⁺ shows the peak at 592 (orange) and 614 nm (red) wavelengths. Ca₃Al₂O₆:Ce³⁺phosphor can be a potential blue phosphor for field emission display, solid-state lighting and LED.     

Combustion synthesis and photoluminescence study of UV emitting LaBaB<Subscript>9</Subscript>O<Subscript>16</Subscript> phosphors

The borate phosphor LaBaB₉O₁₆ doped with Ce³⁺ ion intentionally and successfully synthesized using solution combustion rout using metal nitrates as precursors and urea as fuel. The phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The XRD patterns of the phosphor confirmed the successful crystallization of LaBaB₉O₁₆. The average crystallite size calculated using the Debye Scherer equation. The PL excitation spectra of LaBaB₉O₁₆ exhibited broad spectra peaking at 275 nm. Upon excitation with ultraviolet (UV) radiation at 274 nm the phosphor exhibited a broad band UV emission peaking at a wavelength of 335 nm corresponding to the 4f⁰5d¹??4f¹ transition of the Ce³⁺ ion. Moreover the influence of concentration of Ce³⁺ ion on luminescence properties has also been studied. Optimum concentration of Ce³⁺ ions in the prepared phosphor was found to be 0.05 mol. For this concentration the critical distance R₀ was calculated to be 22.04 Å. Finally, the Stokes shift for the synthesized phosphor was calculated to be 6512 cm^??1 using corresponding excitation and emission.     

Structural and optical characterization of RE (Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript>) doped SrMg<Subscript>2</Subscript>Al<Subscript>6</Subscript>Si<Subscript>9</Subscript>O<Subscript>30</Subscript> nanocrystalline phosphor

This article present the reports on optical study of Eu²⁺ and Ce³⁺ doped SrMg₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀ phosphors, which has been synthesized by combustion method at 550 °C. Here SrMg₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀:Eu²⁺ emission band observed at 425 nm by keeping the excitation wavelength constant at 342 nm, whereas SrMg₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀:Ce³⁺ ions shows the broad emission band at 383 nm, under 321 nm excitation wavelength, both the emission bands are assigned due to 5d–4f transition respectively. Further, phase purity, morphology and crystallite size are confirmed by XRD, SEM and TEM analysis. However, the TGA analysis is carried out to know the amount of weight lost during the thermal processing. The CIE coordinates of SrMg₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀:Eu²⁺ phosphor is observed at x?=?0.160, y?=?0.102 respectively, which may be used as a blue component for NUV-WLEDs. The critical distance of energy transfer between Ce³⁺ ions and host lattice is found to be 10.65 Å.     

Recombination processes in the Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>:Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> scintillator

The roentgenoluminescence spectra, temperature-dependent activator luminescence, optically stimulated luminescence, and the effect of IR irradiation on the yield and spectral composition of the low-temperature roentgenoluminescence and thermoluminescence curves of the Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ scintillator have been studied in the temperature range 85–295 K. The results, coupled with earlier data, suggest that the Ce³⁺ ions in the garnet crystal studied form Ce³⁺ p hole centers and increase the concentration of electronic F ^?-centers responsible for the IR stimulation band at 940 nm. The reduction in roentgenoluminescence yield on cooling Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ to below 230 K is due to the significant localization of excited carriers at defects, which show up in thermoluminescence peaks and optical stimulation spectra. The low-temperature Ce³⁺ luminescence in Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce₃₊ seems to result from the recombination of activator-bound excitons.     

A new rare-earth borate K<Subscript>3</Subscript>LuB<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>: crystal and electronic structure,and luminescent properties activated by Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

A new potassium lutetium borate, K₃LuB₆O₁₂, was synthesized by a flux method and the crystal structure was determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in non-centrosymmetric space group R3₂ and features a three-dimensional framework that is composed of B₅O₁₀, KO₆, KO₈, LuO₆ and (K|Lu)O₆ groups. Band structure calculations by the density functional theory method indicate that K₃LuB₆O₁₂ has direct bond gap of about 2.84 eV. The optical absorption can be mainly ascribed to the charge transitions from the O-2p states to the Lu-6s and Lu-5d states. Moreover, Eu-doped phosphor K₃Lu_0.95Eu_0.05B₆O₁₂ was synthesized by a solid-state reaction and its photoluminescence properties were studied. Under near-UV excitation (393 nm), K₃Lu_0.95Eu_0.05B₆O₁₂ exhibits an intense red emission centered at around 611 nm with the CIE coordinate of (0.641, 0.357), which can be assigned to the electric dipole ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. We think that K₃Lu_0.95Eu_0.05B₆O₁₂ may be used as a good red phosphor pumped by near UV light LED chips.     

Influence of Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>/Ga<Superscript>3+</Superscript> doping on luminescence of Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>:Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphors

Mg²⁺/Ga³⁺ doped Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ phosphors were synthesized through a solid state reaction. The phase and luminescent of the synthesized phosphors were investigated. For Ga³⁺ codoped Y_2.96Ce_0.04Al_(5?x)Ga_xO₁₂ phosphors, the emission intensity increases with the increase of Ga³⁺ concentration up to Y_2.96Ce_0.04Al_4.80Ga_0.20O₁₂ and then decreases with a further increase of Ga³⁺ concentration, but the emission peak shifts to shorter wavelength continuously in the Ga³⁺ doping concentration range of 0.05–0.25. For Mg²⁺/Ga³⁺ codoped Y_2.96Ce_0.04Al_(4.8?y)Ga_0.20Mg_yO₁₂ phosphors, the emission intensity decreases and the emission peak shifts to longer wavelength continuously in the Mg²⁺ doping concentration range of 0.02–0.12. The emission spectra of Y_2.96Ce_0.04Al_(4.8?y)Ga_0.20Mg_yO₁₂ phosphors demonstrate that the codoped Mg²⁺/Ga³⁺ ions not only induce the enhancement of Y_2.96Ce_0.04Al₅O₁₂ emission intensity but also lead to the red shift of Y_2.96Ce_0.04Al₅O₁₂ emission peak. The decay lifetimes decrease in Mg²⁺/Ga³⁺ codoped Y_2.96Ce_0.04Al₅O₁₂ phosphors due to defects formed by substitutions of Y³⁺ by Mg²⁺/Ga³⁺.     

Luminescence properties of Pr<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript>-doped and PrF<Subscript>3</Subscript>-doped germanate glasses for wideband NIR phosphor

We have synthesized 0.12Pr₆O₁₁–45Sb₂O₃–10ZnO–45GeO₂ glass and 0.72PrF₃–45Sb₂O₃–10ZnO–45GeO₂ as a wideband near-infrared phosphor for LED-based light-sources. We have achieved an ultra-wideband luminescence from 700 to 1100 nm from both samples. Luminescence intensity around 730 nm (³P₀ → ³F₄ transition) was lower than that around 1040 nm (¹D₂ → ³F₄ transition) in the Pr₆O₁₁-doped sample. On the other hand, luminescence intensity around 730 nm was higher than that around 1040 nm in PrF₃-doped sample. These results indicated that a phonon energy around Pr³⁺ ions should be decreased by substituting PrF₃ for Pr₆O₁₁. An output power of the PrF₃-doped sample was 1.5 times higher than that of the Pr₆O₁₁-doped sample. A measured fluorescence lifetime of ¹D₂ level in the PrF₃-doped sample was shorter than that in the Pr₆O₁₁-doped one. These results indicated that oxide glasses doped with rare-earth fluoride should be useful for our practical wideband NIR phosphor.     

Ce and Eu activated Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>5</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>, a new promising novel phosphor

A new efficient phosphor, Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ and Ce³⁺ activated Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ has been synthesized by solid-state reaction technique at high temperature. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ host lattice. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the microstructure of the phosphor consisted of irregular fine grains with a size of about 0·5–2 μm. Photoluminescence excitation spectrum measurements of Ce³⁺ activated Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ show that the phosphor can be efficiently excited by UV-Vis light from 280 to 310 nm to realize emission in the visible (blue) range due to the 5d-4f transition of Ce³⁺ ions which is applicable for scintillation purpose, whereas Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ activated Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ phosphor emits blue, green and red emission spectrum shows at 487 nm, 546 nm with a dominant peak at 611 nm respectively, due to Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ ions which is promising candidate for solid state lighting. Therefore, newly synthesised, by low cost and easy technique prepared, novel phosphors may be useful as RGB phosphor for solid state lighting application.     

Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> activated Zn<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>: a novel near-infrared long persistent phosphor

The near-infrared (NIR) long persistent phosphors have gained considerable attention owing to the potential applications in in vivo imaging. A novel NIR long-persistent phosphors Zn₃Al₂Ge₃O₁₂:Cr³⁺ was successfully synthesized by a high temperature solid-state reaction. The luminescent properties and the afterglow behaviors of the Zn₃Al₂Ge₃O₁₂:Cr³⁺ were investigated in detail. On the basis of thermoluminescence analyses, the mechanism of the persistent afterglow of the phosphors was also discussed briefly. The afterglow duration of this phosphor can last more than 12 h with the 650–750 nm emission range after stoppage of 254 nm ultraviolet light irradiation. Specifically, the persistent luminescence intensity and duration were regulated by changing Cr³⁺ doping concentration. All the results indicate that the Cr³⁺ activated Zn₃Al₂Ge₃O₁₂ has promising potential of practical applications.     

Synthesis and luminescent characterization of YAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphors

YAl₃(BO₃)₄:Tb³⁺ phosphors were fabricated by the sol–gel method. The phosphor showed prominent luminescence in green due to the magnetic dipole transition of ⁵D₄–⁷F₅. Structural characterization of the luminescent material was carried out with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis. Luminescence properties were analyzed by measuring the excitation and photoluminescence spectra. Photoluminescence measurements indicated that the phosphor exhibited bright green emission at about 541 nm under UV excitation. It is shown that the 11% of doping concentration of Tb³⁺ ions in YAl₃(BO₃)₄:Tb³⁺ phosphors is optimum.     

Synthesis,tunable luminescence and thermal stability of Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>Al<Subscript>4</Subscript>Si<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>18</Subscript>:Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> phosphors

Ce³⁺/Mn²⁺ singly doped and codoped Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈ phosphors were synthesized by a solid state reaction. The phase, luminescent properties and thermal stability of the synthesized phosphors were investigated. Ce³⁺ and Mn²⁺ singly doped Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈ phosphors show emission bands locating in blue and yellow–red regions, respectively. In Ce³⁺ and Mn²⁺ codoped Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈, tunable luminescence was obtained because of the energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Mn²⁺. In Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈:Ce³⁺/Mn²⁺ phosphors with a fixed Ce³⁺ concentration, energy transfer efficiency increases with the increasing Mn²⁺ concentration, which is confirmed by the continually decreasing intensity and shortening decay time of Ce³⁺ emission. Moreover, the luminescent properties and thermal stability provide a great significance on the applications in the field of light emitting diodes.     

On the Ce3+ → Cr3+ energy transfer in Lu3Al5O12 garnets

Two series of Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Cr³⁺ and Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:0.5% Ce³⁺,Cr³⁺ luminescent materials were prepared by a sol–gel combustion method. All samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Moreover, luminous efficacies (LE), CIE 1931 colour points, and quantum efficiencies (QE) were calculated and discussed. Luminescence measurements indicated that Ce³⁺ ions located at Lu³⁺ site transfers absorbed energy to Cr³⁺ ions located at Al³⁺ site. However, with increasing Cr³⁺ concentration the total light output of Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:0.5% Ce³⁺,Cr³⁺ phosphors decrease.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of a novel UV-emitting phosphor Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>13</Subscript>:Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

The ultraviolet (UV)-emitting Sr₃P₄O₁₃:Ce³⁺ phosphors were synthesized via the solid-state reaction method, and their structural, morphological and luminescence properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate that these phosphors can be effectively excited by short-wavelength ultraviolet (<300 nm), and exhibit long-wavelength ultraviolet (300–380 nm) emission with nanosecond-level fluorescence lifetime corresponding to the parity-allowed 5d–4f transitions of Ce³⁺. The concentration-quenching phenomenon of Ce³⁺ in Sr₃P₄O₁₃ host was also studied, in which the critical energy transfer distance between Ce³⁺ ions and concentration quenching mechanism were determined.     

Radiation-Induced Effects in Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript>- and Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-Doped Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>N

Polycrystalline Al₅O₆N samples have been prepared by sol–gel synthesis followed by carbothermal reduction and nitridation. X-ray luminescence (XRL) spectra and thermoluminescence (TL) curves of Ce³⁺- and Eu²⁺-doped aluminum oxynitride have been measured in the temperature range 5–380 K and analyzed. Working TL peaks have been detected in the range 150–250 K for the Al₅O₆N:Ce³⁺ sample and in the range 140–200 K for the Al₅O₆N:Eu²⁺ samples. There are also lower temperature peaks: in the ranges 10–60 and 20–100 K. The XRL spectra of the samples have been measured at temperatures of 8 (for the first time) and 300 K.     

Crystal structure and luminescence property of a single-phase white light emission phosphor Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>YNa(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>F:Dy<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

A series of single-phase Sr₃YNa(PO₄)₃F:Dy³⁺ phosphors were successfully synthesized via a conventional solid state reaction process. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns were utilized to confirm the phase composite and crystal structure. The phosphor could be excited by the ultraviolet visible light in the region from 300 to 420 nm, and it shown two dominant emission bands peaking at 484 nm (blue light) and 580 nm (yellow light) which originated from the transitions of ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 of Dy³⁺, respectively. The optimum dopant concentration of Dy³⁺ ions was confirmed to be 7 mol% in Sr₃YNa(PO₄)₃F:Dy³⁺ system and the concentration quenching mechanism is dipole–dipole interaction. The lifetime values of Dy³⁺ ions at different concentrations (x?=?0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.09 and 0.11) were determined to be about 0.855, 0.759, 0.686, 0.606 and 0.546 ms, respectively. The thermal stability of luminescence of Sr₃YNa(PO₄)₃F:0.07Dy³⁺ phosphor was also investigated and the activated energy was deduced to be 0.228 eV, which shows good thermal stability. The chromaticity coordinates fall in the white-light region calculated by the emission spectrum. These results show that Sr₃YNa(PO₄)₃F:Dy³⁺ phosphor can be a promising white emitting phosphor for white LEDs.     

Morphology and luminescent properties of Al<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-doped Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphor

Al³⁺/Mg²⁺ doped Y₂O₃:Eu phosphor was synthesized by the glycine-nitrate solution combustion method. In contrast to Y₂O₃:Eu which showed an irregular shape of agglomerated particles (the mean particle size >10 μm), the morphology of Al³⁺/Mg²⁺ doped Y₂O₃:Eu crystals was quite regular. Al³⁺/Mg²⁺ substituting Y³⁺ in Y₂O₃:Eu resulted in an obvious decrease of the particle size. Meanwhile, higher the Al³⁺/Mg²⁺ concentration, smaller the particle size. In particular, the introduction of Al³⁺ ion into Y₂O₃ lattice induced a remarkable increase of PL and CL intensity. While, for Mg²⁺ doped Y₂O₃:Eu samples, their PL and CL intensities decreased. The reason that causes the variation of PL and CL properties for Al³⁺ and Mg²⁺ doped Y₂O₃:Eu crystals was concluded to be related to sites of Al³⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions inclined to take and the difference of ion charge.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> nanorods and its growth mechanism and luminescence properties

Homogeneous Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanorods with the lengths of several micrometres were successfully synthesised on a large scale by using a urea-assisted hydrothermal method and a post-calcining process. In this study, the influences of urea content and NaOH concentration on the oriented growth, photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) intensity enhancement of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ were investigated. As a precipitant for isotropic growth, urea can counteract the effect of NaOH on oriented growth along the c-axis during hydrothermal treatment. The Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ powders exhibited a strong red emission centred at 613 nm under either 245 nm UV excitation or the direct current high electric field. The PL intensity of the Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor prepared with 0.3 g of urea reached 141 % that of the sample prepared under the same conditions but without urea. The strategy for controlling the oriented growth, PL and EL enhancement of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ can be extended to the synthesis of other inorganic nano/micromaterials.     

Effect of BaF2 powder addition on the synthesis of YAG phosphor by mechanical method

Here, we report on the effect of BaF₂ powder addition on the mechanical synthesis of Ce³⁺-doped Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (Y_2.97Al₅O₁₂:Ce_0.03³⁺, YAG:Ce³⁺) phosphors for white light emitting diodes. The YAG phosphors were synthesized by the mechanical method using an attrition-type mill. When BaF₂ was added at 6 wt% to the raw powder materials and milled, the synthesis of YAG:Ce³⁺ was favorably achieved at the vessel temperature of 255 °C, which was about 1200 °C lower than the YAG phosphor synthesis temperature by solid-state reaction. The synthesized YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphor revealed the maximum internal quantum yield of 57%.     

Luminescence properties of terbium-doped Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> phosphor for radiation dosimetry

A polycrystalline sample of Li₃PO₄:Tb³⁺ phosphor was successfully synthesized using solid-state diffusion method. This synthesis method is of low cost, low temperature and does not require any other atmospheres for the synthesis. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), photoluminescence (PL) emission and excitation spectra, thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) were measured. The particle size was calculated using the Debye Scherrer formula and found to be 79.42 nm. PL emission spectra of Li₃PO₄:Tb³⁺ phosphor show the strong prominent peak at 544 nm corresponding to ⁵D₄ to ⁷F₅ transitions of Tb³⁺. The OSL sensitivity of prepared Li₃PO₄:Tb³⁺ phosphor was 50% of that of α-Al₂O₃:C. Its decay curve consists of three components with photoionization cross-sections 0.44 × 10^?17, 3.09 × 10^?17 and 23×10^?17 cm². The TL glow curve of the prepared sample consists of two characteristic peaks, which were deconvoluted using the peak fit software, and kinetic parameters were determined using the peak shape method. TL intensity was compared with that of the commercially available TLD-500 phosphor. OSL dose response was linear in the measured range and the minimum detectable dose (MDD) was found to be 67.42 μGy, while fading of the OSL signal was found to be about 27% in 4200 min after which the OSL signal stabilizes.     

Persistent luminescence of Zn<Subscript>2</Subscript>GeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>/Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphors

Zn₂GeO₄, Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺, Zn₂GeO₄:Pr³⁺ and Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺/Pr³⁺ phosphors were fabricated by a solid state reaction. The phase and luminescent properties of the fabricated phosphors were investigated. The XRD patterns show that all of the fabricated phosphors have an orthorhombic structure. The fabricated Zn₂GeO₄ shows an emission band in the range of 350–550 nm. The fabricated Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺ and Zn₂GeO₄:Pr³⁺ phosphors show emission bands corresponding to Mn²⁺ and Pr³⁺ ions, respectively. The fabricated Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺/Pr³⁺ phosphor shows the emission band results from Mn²⁺ and the codoped Pr³⁺ enhances the emission intensity of Mn²⁺. Moreover, Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺/Pr³⁺ phosphor exhibits longer decay time than that of Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺. The higher intensity and longer lifetime of Mn²⁺ emission are induced by the energy transfer from Pr³⁺ of various vacancies to Mn²⁺ in Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺/Pr³⁺ phosphors.