Investigations on luminescence characteristics of Eu and Cr codoped BaAl2O4

Green phosphor BaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Cr³⁺ with varying concentrations of Cr codoping were prepared by solid-state synthesis method. The synthesized compositions were characterized for their phase, morphology and crystallinity by powder X-ray diffraction, SEM and TEM techniques. Photoluminescence properties were investigated measuring PL and decay time. Broad band UV excited luminescence was observed for BaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Cr³⁺ in the green region (λ_max = 500 nm) due to transitions from 4f⁶ 5d¹ to the 4f⁷ configuration of the Eu²⁺ ion. The effect of Cr doping on crystalline quality, morphology and photoluminescence characteristics of prepared compositions was investigated.     

Nature of intrinsic and impure luminescence of MAlP2O7 crystals

The results of the photoluminescence (PL) investigation of pure and chromium-doped MAlP₂O₇ (M = Na, K, Cs) compounds are presented. The spectra of the intrinsic luminescence of MAlP₂O₇ crystals consist of a separated UV band at a peak position near 330 nm and a complex wide band which covers the region of visible light up to 750 nm at excitation by VUV synchrotron radiation. The “red” band in 600–1000 nm diapason appears in the PL spectra of crystals doped with chromium ions. The effect of the temperature on the structure, the peak positions and intensities of the luminescence bands was studied. An assumption about the nature of the intrinsic PL was made. The “red” luminescence was considered as a result of the ⁴Т₂ → ⁴А₂ radiation transitions in the impurity Cr³⁺ ions located in the intermediate crystal field.     

Photoluminescent characterization of KNbO3:Eu

In this study, the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of europium-doped potassium niobate (KNbO₃) crystallites prepared by a vibrating milled solid-state reaction method were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical spectral analysis (luminescence excitation, emission spectra and time-resolved spectra) were used to characterize the KNbO₃:Eu³⁺ powders. The results of the XRD revealed that the powders remained as a single orthorhombic structure at doping concentrations below 3 mol%. A second phase of EuNbO₄ begins to appear at 5 mol%. The ⁵D₀–⁷F₁ (593 nm) and ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ (614 nm) emission characteristics of Eu³⁺ appear at a quenching concentration of above 3 mol%. The Commission Internationale d’Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of a Eu:KNbO₃ host excited at λ_ex = 400 nm and λ_ex = 466 nm wavelengths, both presented a red-shift when increasing the Eu³⁺ ion doping. The lifetime of the Eu³⁺ ion decreased as the doping concentration was increased from 1 to 7 mol%.     

Preparation and luminescence properties of Mn-doped ZnGa2O4 nanofibers via electrospinning process

One-dimensional Mn²⁺-doped ZnGa₂O₄ nanofibers were prepared by a simple and cost-effective electrospinning process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. SEM results indicated that the as-formed precursor fibers and those annealed at 700 °C are uniform with length of several tens to hundred micrometers, and the diameters of the fibers decrease greatly after being heated at 700 °C. Under ultraviolet excitation (246 nm) and low-voltage electron beams (1–3 kV) excitation, the ZnGa₂O₄:Mn²⁺ nanofibers presents the blue emission band of the ZnGa₂O₄ host lattice and the strong green emission with a peak at 505 nm corresponding to the ⁴T₁–⁶A₁ transition of Mn²⁺ ion.     

A novel green emitting phosphor Ca1.5Y1.5Al3.5Si1.5O12:Tb

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation and emission properties of Tb³⁺ ion doped silico-aluminate phosphor Ca_1.5Y_1.5Al_3.5Si_1.5O₁₂:Tb³⁺ was studied. Upon excitation with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and near UV light excitation, the phosphor showed strong green-emission peaked at 545 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺, and the highest PL intensity at 545 nm was found at a content of about 14 mol% Tb³⁺. The 4f–5d transition absorption of Tb³⁺ is in the range from 150 nm to 260 nm, and there is an energy transfer from the host to the rare earth ions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images showed the particle size of the phosphor was less than 3 μm.     

Synthesis of Si3N4 whiskers in porous SiC bodies

Si₃N₄ whiskers were synthesized by the carbothermal reduction process in porous SiC bodies. The SiC bodies had a sponge microstructure with pore sizes of approximately 600 μm. The raw materials for the Si₃N₄ whiskers were powder mixtures of Si₃N₄, SiO₂ and Si for silicon and phenolic resin for carbon. Cobalt was used as a metal catalyst. The carbothermal reaction was performed at 1400 °C or 1500 °C for 1 or 2 h. The α-Si₃N₄ whiskers grew inside the SiC pores by the VLS process, and their diameters ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 μm. The length of the grown Si₃N₄ whiskers was over 100 μm and their growth direction was [100].     

Dark-red-emitting CdTe0.5Se0.5/Cd0.5Zn0.5S quantum dots: Effect of chemicals on properties

CdTe_0.5Se_0.5/Cd_0.5Zn_0.5S core/shell quantum dots (QDs) with a tunable photoluminescence (PL) range from yellow to dark red (up to a PL peak wavelength of 683 nm) were fabricated using various reaction systems. The core/shell QDs created in the reaction solution of trioctylamine (TOA) and oleic acid (OA) at 300 °C exhibited narrow PL spectra and a related low PL efficiency (38%). In contrast, the core/shell QDs prepared in the solution of 1-octadecene (ODE) and hexadecylamine (HDA) at 200 °C revealed a high PL efficiency (70%) and broad PL spectra. This phenomenon is ascribed that the precursor of Cd, reaction temperature, solvents, and ligands affected the formation process of the shell. The slow growth rate of the shell in the solution of ODE and HDA made QDs with a high PL efficiency. Metal acetate salts without reaction with HDA led to the core/shell QDs with a broad size distribution.     

Chemical synthesis of Al18B4O33 whiskers via a combustion method

The Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whiskers were successfully synthesized by a combustion method with urea as fuel. The synthesis parameter φ ([urea]:[precursors] = φ) was studied to optimize the synthesis conditions for preparing high-quality Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whiskers. In our present work, it was found that a urea-precursors ratio close to 2, calcination temperature of 1050 °C and reaction time around 3 h lead to high-quality Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whiskers.     

Self-catalytic formation and characterization of Zn2SnO4 nanowires

Mass production of transparent semiconducting ternary oxide Zn₂SnO₄ nanowires is successfully synthesized by the thermal evaporation method without any catalyst. The as-synthesized products are characterized with field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SEAD). A formation of Zn₂SnO₄ nanowires based on a self-catalytic VLS growth mechanism is discussed. The photoluminescence spectrum (PL) of the nanowires shows a broad blue-green emission around the 300-600 nm wavelengths with a maximum center at 580 nm under room temperature.     

Preparation, characterization and luminescence of a new green-emitting phosphor: Gd2TeO6 doped with Tb

Novel green-emitting Gd_2 − xTb_xTeO₆ powder phosphor has been prepared by the oxidation of corresponding rare-earth oxytellurides. The photoluminescence (PL) properties were reported. Five dominant bands centered at 302 nm, 318 nm, 339 nm, 353 nm and 378 nm characterize the excitation spectrum. Under the excitation of 378 nm UV light, the emission spectrum exhibits an intense peak centered at 543-548 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺. This phosphor can be excited by light with wavelengths of 350-400 nm and therefore can be used as a green phosphor for white lighting devices utilizing near-UV LED as a light source.     

Photoluminescence properties of the In2O3 octahedrons synthesized by carbothermal reduction method

In₂O₃ octahedrons were synthesized by carbothermal reduction method. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected-area electron diffraction analysis (SAED) and room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results show that the products are single-crystalline In₂O₃ octahedrons with the arrises length in the range of 400-3000 nm. The PL spectra displays blue and green emission peaks which can be indexed to default and oxygen vacancies; blue-shift and intensity decrease was observed when excitation wavelength decreases from 380 nm to 325 nm. The growth mechanism of the In₂O₃ octahedrons is discussed.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu2+-activated Ca4Mg5(PO4)6 for blue-emitting phosphor

Ca ₄ Mg ₅ (PO ₄ ) ₆ :Eu²⁺^{\boldsymbol{2+}} blue-emitting phosphor was synthesized by the combustion-assisted synthesis method under reductive atmosphere. The products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of Ca ₄ Mg ₅ (PO ₄ ) ₆ pure phase. Photoluminescence results showed that the phosphor can be excited efficiently by UV light range from 230–400 nm, and then exhibited bright blue light with peak wavelength at 431 nm. It is a very promising candidate as a blue-emitting phosphor for potential applications in display devices.     

Catalytic-free growth of ZnGa2O4 nanowires on amorphous carbon layers

Zinc gallate (ZnGa₂O₄) nanowires were directly grown on the amorphous carbon-coated silicon substrates using a facile chemical vapor deposition method without any metal catalysts. The growth mechanism can be attributed to a self-organization vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process. The amorphous carbon layer plays an important role in the nucleation and growth process of the ZnGa₂O₄ nanowires. The photoluminescence (PL) of the nanowires shows a broad, strong green emission band centered at 532 nm and a weak UV emission band at 381 nm, which can be attributed to a large amount of ionized oxygen vacancies and the combination of Ga³⁺ ions with free electrons in coordinated oxygen vacancies, respectively.     

Luminescence properties of Sr5(PO4)3Cl:Ni nanocrystals

Strontium chloroapatite (Sr₅(PO₄)₃Cl) nanocrystals doped with Ni²⁺ ions were synthesized by a precipitation method. The obtained nanocrystals appeared to be rod-like with diameters of  50 nm and lengths of 150–350 nm by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photoluminescence (PL) properties of Ni²⁺ ions in strontium chloroapatite were studied by photoluminescence spectroscopy.     

Hydrothermally-induced morphological transformation of GdVO4:Eu

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of a wide pH range on morphology and luminescence properties of europium-doped gadolinium vanadate (GdVO₄:Eu³⁺). GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ powders were hydrothermally synthesized at 180 °C for 24 h in a wide pH range. The as-synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The XRD results showed that GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ with the tetragonal structure formed at pH < 13 as a single phase and Gd(OH)₃ formed at pH ≥ 13 as a secondary phase. The SEM and TEM observations demonstrated the hydrothermally-induced morphological transformation of GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ powders by altering the pH of the synthesis solution. The possible mechanism for the morphological transformation was proposed. The intensities of the prominent peaks at 618 nm in the PL emission spectra of GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ powders considerably shift according to the specific morphology. The luminescence intensity of the octahedron- and rod-like GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ powders hydrothermally obtained at pH = 3 was the strongest one due to high packing density and high crystallinity as well as the extended reduction of the concentration of inherent defect states or adsorbed species.     

Electrospinning preparation and photoluminescence properties of SrAl2O4:Ce3+ nanowires

One-dimensional monoclinic SrAl₂O₄:Ce³⁺ nanowires (NWs) were prepared by the electrospinning method for the first time. By annealing PVP/SrAl₂O₄:Ce³⁺ composite nanowires (NWs) with different ratio of PVP (M _w ≈ 1300000) to inorganic precursors of the electrospinning solutions, size-controllable NWs were obtained, ranging of 90–180 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and dynamics were employed to characterize the NWs. The results demonstrate that the positions of excitation and emission bands varied uneven with the ratio of PVP to the inorganic precursors and the NWs diameter, which was attributed to the difference of the crystallinity, porosity, and local micro-structures surrounding Ce³⁺. Two decay time constants were observed for the PL of Ce³⁺, one faster (1–3 ns) and one slower (10–20 ns), which were attributed to the hole-electron capture on the luminescent ions and isolated Ce ions, respectively. It is interesting to observe that for the shorter decay process, a maximum occurred as the concentration of Ce³⁺ varied in the range of 1–10 mol%.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of SrLu2O4:Eu superfine phosphor

Superfine powder SrLu₂O₄:Eu³⁺ was synthesized with a precursor prepared by an EDTA - sol-gel method at relatively low temperature using metal nitrate and EDTA as starting materials. The heat decomposition mechanism of the precursor, formation process of SrLu₂O₄:Eu³⁺and the properties of the particles were investigated by thermo-gravimetric (TG) - differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses. The results show that pure SrLu₂O₄:Eu³⁺ superfine powder has been produced after the precursor was calcinated at 900 °C for 2 h and has an elliptical shape and an average diameter of 80-100 nm. Upon excitation with 250 nm light, all the SrLu₂O₄:Eu³⁺ powders show red and orange emissions due to the 4f-4f transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. The highest photoluminescence intensity at 610 nm was found at a content of about 6 mol% Eu³⁺. Splitting of the ⁵D₀-⁷F₁ emission transition revealed that the Eu³⁺ ions occupied two nonequivalent sites in the crystallite by substituting Lu³⁺ ions.     

Water-assisted growth and characterization of SnO2 nanobelts

SnO₂ nanobelts have been synthesized by water-assisted growth at 850 °C using high pure Sn powders as the source materials. The as-synthesized products were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), infrared spectrum (IR) and room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. XRD pattern of the sample is quite in accord with the standard pattern of the tetragonal rutile SnO₂; SEM and TEM images show that the uniform single-crystalline SnO₂ nanobelts are about tens of micrometers in length, 70-100 nm in width and 5-8 nm in thickness, and is smooth in surface. The special IR and PL properties were also detected by IR and PL testing. The growth mechanisms and special properties relative to the SnO₂ nanostructures are discussed.     

Self-flux synthesis and photoluminescent properties of LiAl5O8

Pure-phase LiAl₅O₈ was selected as an oxide ceramic red phosphor material without dopants (color centers) and was synthesized using a self-flux method. The LiAl₅O₈ was formed by heating a powder mixture consisting of γ-Al₂O₃:Li₂SO₄ = 1:2 (molar ratio) at over 1100 °C for 1 h. Photoluminescence (PL) properties for the synthesized LiAl₅O₈ were investigated. The maximum intensity of the excitation spectrum for the photoluminescent emission of LiAl₅O₈ synthesized was at 274 nm. The peak intensity of the emission spectrum was at a wavelength of 667 nm (red color). The intensity of the peak emission spectrum increased with the heating temperature, i.e., the maximum peak intensity of the red emission spectrum was detected for the LiAl₅O₈ synthesized by heating at 1500 °C for 1 h.     

Mild hydrothermal solid-phase synthesis of YVO4 nanocrystals

The tetragonal YVO₄ nanocrystals are facilely prepared via a hydrothermal solid-phase synthesis method directly utilizing bulk phase materials of V₂O₅ and Y₂O₃ as precursor. Whether additives (acid and EDTA) exist or not, the reaction can be performed in the mild temperature range from 130 to 200 °C. The products are characterized with XRD, FTIR, TEM and PL. The effect of acid and amounts of EDTA on the morphology of the product is investigated. The YVO₄ nanoparticles exhibit novel photoluminescence emission bands at 330 and 606 nm under 254 nm excitation. A growth mechanism of yttrium orthovanadate is proposed.