Synthesis and spectroscopic analysis of Sm3+ doped CeO2 ceramic powders for the application of white LEDs

Orange-red light-emitting Sm³⁺-doped cerium oxide (CeO₂) ceramic powder with various concentrations of Sm³⁺ ions was prepared through a sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld analysis confirmed the formation of a purely cubic structure with a space group of $\mathit{Fm}\stackrel{?}{3}m$. The lattice parameters and unit cell volumes of the CeO₂:Sm³⁺ powder increased with the concentration of Sm³⁺ ions. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectra and corresponding mapping images confirmed the elemental composition and adequate dispersion of all elements in the CeO₂:Sm³⁺ powder. A broad excitation band at approximately 365?nm was observed in the excitation spectra of CeO₂:Sm³⁺ phosphors owing to the charge transfer transition from O 2p to Ce 4f orbitals. The Sm³⁺ doped CeO₂ phosphors emitted sharp luminescence with a main peak at 615?nm under excitation at 360?nm. The spectral analysis revealed that the CeO₂:Sm³⁺ phosphors exhibited strong orange-red emission. Concentration quenching was observed in the CeO₂:Sm³⁺ phosphors with 0.5?mol% of critical concentration of Sm³⁺ ions due to dipole dipole interaction of two nearest Sm³⁺ ions. The quantum efficiency was observed as high as 58%. The thermal stability of the present materials was estimated with the evaluation of activation energy as 0.31?eV. The broad excitation band and sharp orange–red emission indicated the potential use of CeO₂:Sm³⁺ phosphors for white light-emitting diodes.