Photoluminescence properties of Tb in porous silicon

Terbium (Tb³⁺)/porous silicon (PS) nanocomposites have been formed by impregnation of PS layer in chloride solution of terbium. Complete and uniform penetration of Tb³⁺ into PS layer is confirmed by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) study. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum shows that Tb³⁺ ions emit highly in the green region, while the PL band of PS is quenched. The emission of Tb³⁺ ions depends strongly on the excitation energy and shows a high efficiency at 488 nm corresponding to the maximum absorption band in terbium. A systematic study of the PL versus annealing temperature was performed. It shows an important improvement of the PL intensity for 700°C temperature annealing.     

Excitation process and photoluminescence properties of Tb and Eu ions in SnO2 and in SnO2: Porous silicon hosts

Tin oxide (SnO₂)-layers-doped terbium and europium ions are elaborated by the sol-gel method on silicon substrates. After annealing at 500 °C, the transmission electron microscopy revealed a crystallization of tin oxide.The emission properties of rare-earth in SnO₂ are studied systematically against temperature annealing and Tb³⁺ concentration. The PL spectrum is optimal after annealing at 900 °C and the corresponding photoluminescence (PL) decay is nearly exponential, showing that the sample is homogenous and the PL process can be described by two levels system.The concentration effect shows a quenching of the PL intensity for Tb³⁺ concentration above 4%. From the investigation of the decay rate from the ⁷F₅ state within terbium concentration, we show that self-quenching is insured by dipole - dipole interaction. The evolutions of both PL intensity and PL lifetime versus temperature are studied. The PL intensity and PL lifetime are enhanced by deposing SnO₂:Tb³⁺ and SnO₂:Eu³⁺ in porous silicon. We show that an efficient excitation transfer from Si nanocrystallites to RE ions can occur.     

Study on preparation and fluorescence characteristic of coordinated Eu2O3/polymer hybrid films

The cyclohexane solution of TTA (trifluorothenoyl-acetone), phen (8-hydroxylquinoline) and PS (polystyrene), the ethyl acetate solution of TTA, phen and PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) were used as flowing liquid, the coordinated Eu₂O₃/polymer hybrid colloids were successively produced by focused pulsed laser ablation of Eu₂O₃ target in interface of solid and flowing liquid. As solvent in the hybrid colloids has volatilized, the coordinated Eu₂O₃/polymer hybrid films were obtained. The hybrid colloids and films were characterized by TEM, UV-vis spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, TG-FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectrum. The results show the coordinated Eu₂O₃ nanoparticles with average size of less than 20 nm are surrounded by the three-dimensional network and are properly incorporated into the PMMA and PS matrix, the hybrid films can emit intense red light under ultraviolet radiation, and their emission fluorescence spectra display same characteristic emission peaks of Eu³⁺ ions. The Eu₂O₃ hybrid films have better thermo stability than the related pure polymers because of strong interaction between surface europium ions of the nanoparticles and polymer. Because the coordinated Eu₂O₃ nanoparticles were wrapped by polymer, they have higher chemical stability than the related europium complex.     

Study on relationship of luminescence in CaS:Eu,Sm and dopants concentration

In order to study different characteristic luminescence of Eu²⁺ and Sm³⁺, delayed photoluminescence (DPL) and infrared stimulated luminescence (ISL) spectra of CaS doped with europium and samarium have been investigated. The influence of Eu and Sm concentration on luminescence of Eu²⁺ in photoluminescence (PL) and ISL was respectively studied. It was found that, at low doping levels, PL emission intensity of Eu²⁺ increased linearly with increment of Eu, while decreased linearly with increment of Sm. However, further increment of Eu and Sm in CaS:Eu,Sm could not increase either the luminescent centres of Eu²⁺ or electron trapping sites of Sm³⁺. Different local environment of Eu²⁺ and Sm³⁺ in the lattice position is thought to be the cause of all observed luminescence phenomena. Finally, the maximum emission in ISL was obtained at 1000 ppm europium and 750 ppm samarium.     

The effect of europium oxide impurity on the optical and physical properties of lithium potassium borate glass

The most hosts that is utilized in scientific application is borate glass. By using melt-quenching technique, five samples of lithium potassium borate (LKB) doped with different concentration of europium oxide (Eu₂O₃) were prepared. To investigate the influence of dopant on the optical and physical characteristics of the proposed glass, two methods have been applied (XRD, PL). The amorphous nature was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The physical parameters of the glass matrix doped by different oxidation state have been analyzed, these parameters are density, molar volume, ion concentration, inter-nuclear distance, and polaron radius. The exchange in the concentration of Eu³⁺ indicated the influence of Eu as a dopant on the photoluminescence (PL) emission of LKB glasses. The emission spectrum of LKB:Eu³⁺ show a chain of emission bands, which are attributed to ⁵ D ₀-⁷ F _r (r = 1–4) transition of Eu³⁺. The luminescence studies showed four peaks 590 (yellow), 613 (orange), 650 (red), and 698 nm (red) for all samples except sample 0, the high luminescence efficiency is in emitting orange light at 613 nm.     

Investigation of the influence of silver and tin on the luminescence of trivalent europium ions in glass

Europium-doped aluminophosphate glasses prepared by the melt-quenching technique have been studied by photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of silver and tin doping, and of further thermal processing on Eu³⁺ ions luminescence have been assessed. For the glass system containing only europium, Eu³⁺ PL observed under UV excitation is suggested to occur through energy transfer from the excited glass host. After silver and tin doping, an enhanced UV excited Eu³⁺ PL has been indicated to occur essentially due to radiative energy transfer from isolated Ag⁺ ions and/or two fold-coordinated Sn centers. Since thermal processing of the material leads to a quenching effect on Eu³⁺ PL and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) formation due to reduction of silver ions by tin, XPS was employed in order to investigate the possibility for Eu³⁺→Eu²⁺ reduction during HT as a potential source of the PL decrease. The data points towards Ag NPs as main responsible for the observed weakening of Eu³⁺ PL.     

UV-induced photoluminescence and thermally stimulated luminescence of CaSO4:Eu and CaF2:Tb3+ phosphors

Ultraviolet radiation induced changes in photoluminescence (PL) and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) of europium activated calcium sulphate (CaSO₄:Eu³⁺, Eu²⁺) and terbium doped calcium fluoride (CaF₂:Tb³⁺) phosphors have been studied. PL measurements suggest conversion of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ on 254 nm irradiation corresponding to charge transfer band of Eu³⁺ ions and reduction of Eu²⁺ ions with 365 nm illumination representing a f–d transition of Eu²⁺ ions. Similar studies carried out on CaF₂:Tb³⁺ phosphor, however, do not show any significant wavelength specific changes. The integrated TSL output appears to be rate-dependent for both phosphors. The wavelength dependent changes in TSL output observed for CaSO₄:Eu phosphor have been correlated with those obtained in PL studies. The changes in TSL and PL characteristics of CaF₂:Tb³⁺ phosphor have been explained on the basis of stabilisation of traps based on matrix specific charge similarities.     

Crystal structure and photoluminescence correlations in white emitting nanocrystalline ZrO2:Eu3+ phosphor: Effect of doping and annealing

White emitting nanocrystalline ZrO₂:Eu³⁺ phosphors were synthesized by a simple precipitation route without using a capping agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study of ZrO₂ and ZrO₂:Eu³⁺samples revealed the presence of monoclinic and tetragonal phases. The monoclinic phase increases with increase in the annealing temperature while the tetragonal phase increases with increase in the concentration of Eu³⁺. This can be attributed to the presence of oxygen vacancy evolved when Zr⁴⁺ is replaced by Eu³⁺. Photoluminescence (PL) emission peaks of Eu³⁺ are observed at 591, 596, 606 and 613 nm on monitoring excitation wavelengths at 250, 286, 394 and 470 nm. The peaks at 591 and 606 nm were found to correlate with the tetragonal phase and those at 596 and 613 nm with the monoclinic phase. Intensities of these peaks are found to change as the crystal structure changes. The lifetime value corresponding to 591 nm peak increases with Eu³⁺ concentration at a particular heating temperature indicating increase of tetragonal phase with respect to monoclinic phase. The CIE co-ordinates of the doped samples were found to be close to that of white color (0.33, 0.33). The changes in the crystal structure of the doped samples due to doping and annealing did not affect the white color emission.     

Correction of the band gap of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphor

Submicron samples of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor with elevated photoluminescence (PL) efficiency and activator concentration of 9 at % obtained by the sol–gel method were investigated by diffuse reflection spectroscopy and PL spectroscopy. It is found that the diffuse reflection spectrum in the vicinity of the fundamental absorption edge (<300 nm) is distorted by the superposition of the PL of Eu³⁺ ions, as a result of which the calculated value of optical band gap E _g of the Y₂O₃ matrix is overestimated. An algorithm for eliminating the PL influence on the absorption edge is proposed, and the correct E _g values are found to be 4.61 ± 0.12 and 4.50 ± 0.12 eV for annealing at 700 and 1300°C, respectively.     

Structural, luminescent and thermal properties of blue SrAl2O4:Eu, Dy phosphor filled low-density polyethylene composites

The performance of nanophase luminophors is usually compromised by environmentally induced degradation. In this study, composites of low density polyethylene (LDPE) with various concentrations of the blue-emitting europium and dysprosium co-doped strontium aluminate (SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺) phosphor were investigated. The blue long-lasting phosphorescence of the composites was observed in the dark after removal of the excitation light. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of the SrAl₂O₄ phase in the composites. PL spectra of the composites have two sets of peaks, major broad bands peaking at about 4855 Å and minor ones at wavelengths between 4115 and 4175 Å, attributed to the 4f-5d transition of Eu²⁺. DSC and TGA results show that the introduction of the phosphor in LDPE matrix caused a slight reduction in the crystallinity of LDPE but a significant increase in the stability of the composites.     

Photoluminescence of Y2O3:Eu thin film phosphors by sol-gel deposition and rapid thermal annealing

Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor films have been developed by using the sol-gel process. Comprehensive characterization methods such as Photoluminescent (PL) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor films. In this experiment, the XRD profiles show that the Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor films crystallization temperature and optimum annealing temperature occur at about 650 and 750 °C, respectively. The optimum dopant concentration is 12 mol% Eu³⁺ and the critical transfer distance (R_c) among Eu³⁺ ions is calculated to be about 0.84 nm. Vacuum environment is more efficient than oxygen and nitrogen to eliminate the OH content and hence yields higher luminescent phosphor films. The PL emission intensity of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor films is also dependent on the annealing time. It was found that the H₂O impurities were effectively eliminated after annealing time of 25 s at 750 °C in vacuum environment. From the experiment results, the schematic energy band diagram of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor films is constructed.     

The crystallinity and the photoluminescent properties of spray pyrolized ZnO phosphor containing Eu and Eu ions

A europium doped ZnO (ZnO:Eu) particle was directly synthesized by the spray pyrolysis method. The crystal structure of samples was designated by the europium ion and the synthesis temperature. We identified the coexistence of Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions in the as prepared ZnO, which was strongly influenced by the doping concentration and the synthesis temperature. With addition of a 0.5 mol% concentration of europium ions, only the Eu²⁺ ion existed in particles, while both Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions existed in sample using 1 mol% or higher concentration of europium ions. Changing the wavelength of the excitation source, we also found that both the blue and red luminescence can be obtained.     

Solvothermal synthesis and luminescent properties of Y2Ti2O7:Eu3+ spheres

Pyrochlore‐structured yttrium titanate phosphors activated by trivalent europium ions (Y₂Ti₂O₇(YT):Eu³⁺), with spherical morphology, were synthesized at different pH values by a solvothermal process. From the structural and morphological measurements, the annealing temperature had no effect on the spherical morphology of the YT:Eu³⁺ sample. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra were taken by activating the Eu³⁺ ions in the YT host lattice as functions of Eu³⁺ ion concentration and annealing temperature. The optimal doping concentration was found to be 4 mol%, exhibiting an excellent orange–red emission due to the highest intensity of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ transition. When the YT:Eu³⁺ phosphor was mixed with YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphor, a brilliant white light emission was achieved. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Europium doped strontium borate glasses and their optical properties

Optical absorption and luminescence spectra of europium doped strontium borate glasses prepared in different conditions are studied. It is found that the percentage of Eu³⁺ ions varies from 100 to 30% being controlled by the conditions of preparation. The mechanism, favoring reduction of europium to Eu²⁺ state in polycrystalline strontium tetraborate, is much weaker in glasses of the same composition. In samples containing mixed valence europium at densities of 8×10²⁰ cm⁻³, the efficient transfer of optical excitation from Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺, suppressing the Eu³⁺ luminescence, has been found. The most reliable way of monitoring the percentage of europium ions in different valences for strontium borate glasses is the measuring of absorption at f-f transition ⁷F₀→⁵D₂ of Eu³⁺.     

白光LED用LiBaBO3:Eu2+材料发光特性研究

采用高温固相法制备了LiBaBO₃:Eu²⁺绿色发光材料.测量了Eu²⁺浓度为1mol%时样品的激发与发射光谱,其发射光谱为双峰宽谱,主峰分别为482和507nm,与理论计算值符合很好;监测482nm发射峰时,对应激发光谱的峰值为287和365nm,监测507nm发射峰时,对应的激发峰为365和405nm.研究了Eu²⁺浓度对材料发射光谱的影响,结果显示,随Eu²⁺浓度的增大,蓝、绿发射峰均发生了     

Calcium precipitation in NaCl monitored by the Eu2+ -fluorescence

Taking into account that the optical spectroscopy of the Eu²⁺ ion is quite sensitive to the crystalline environment in which this ion is located, in the present investigation the fluorescence of a small concentration (8 ppmm) of divalent europium incorporated into a NaCl crystal which was also doped with ≈4500 ppmm of Ca²⁺ has been systematically investigated as a function of different thermal treatments in order to study the calcium-precipitation processes in the host NaCl. The data presented in this paper strongly suggest that the annealing of quenched samples at 200°C produces the incorporation of Eu²⁺ into the stable dihalide phase CaCl₂, as well as into the metastable precipitated CaCl₂-like plate zones parallel to the {111} planes of the NaCl matrix. This fact is associated with the increase in intensity of two overlapping emission bands peaking at 430 and 432 nm. On the other hand, the aging of quenched samples at room temperature produces the growth of three emission bands peaking at 400, 414, and 447 nm. The former two emission bands have been associated with Eu²⁺ embedded into calcium precipitates, the structures of these precipitates being different from that of CaCl₂, while the band at 447 nm has been ascribed to europium ions incorporated into the metastable precipitated CaCl₂-like plate zones parallel to the {310} planes of the NaCl matrix. Some of the characteristics of the different calcium second phase precipitates have been obtained by measuring the crystal field splitting (10 Dq) of the 4f⁶5d configuration of the divalent europium ions when they were located inside them. Values for the 10 Dq splitting were determined from the excitation spectrum of each of the emission bands associated with the different calcium-precipitated phases.     

Luminescence in trivalent rare earth activated Sr4Al2O7 phosphor

In this paper we report the combustion synthesis of trivalent rare-earth (RE³⁺ = Dy, Eu and Ce) activated Sr₄Al₂O₇ phosphor. The prepared phosphors were characterized by the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. Photoluminescence emission peaks of Sr₄Al₂O₇:Dy³⁺ phosphor at 474 nm and 578 nm in the blue and yellow region of the spectrum. The prepared Eu³⁺ doped phosphors were excited by 395 nm then we found that the characteristics emission of europium ions at 615 nm (⁵D₀?⁷F₂) and 592 nm (⁵D₀?⁷F₁). Photoluminescence (PL) peaks situated at wavelengths of 363 and 378 nm in the UV region under excitation at around 326 nm in the Sr₄Al₂O₇:Ce³⁺ phosphor.     

Thermoluminescence (TL) of europium-doped ZrO2 obtained by sol–gel method

This article reports the preparation and characterization of europium-doped zirconium oxide (ZrO₂:Eu³⁺) formed by homogeneous precipitation from propoxyde of zirconium [Zr(OC₃H₇)₄]. The alkoxide sol gel process is an efficient method to prepare the zirconium oxide matrix by the hydrolysis of alkoxide precursors followed by condensation to yield a polymeric oxo-bridged ZrO₂ network. All compounds were characterized by thermal analysis and the X-ray diffractometry method. The thermoluminescence (TL) emission properties of ZrO₂:Eu³⁺ under beta radiation effects are studied. The europium-doped sintered zirconia powder presents a TL glow curve with two peaks (Tmax) centered at around 204 and around 292 ^°C, respectively. TL response of ZrO₂:Eu³⁺ as a function of beta-absorbed dose was linear from 2 Gy up to 90 Gy. The europium ion (Eu³⁺)-doped ZrO₂ was found to be more sensitive to beta radiation than undoped ZrO₂ obtained by the same method and presented a little fading of the TL signal compared with undoped zirconium oxide.     

Microstructural and optical properties of europium-doped zinc oxide nanowires

Single-crystal Eu³⁺-doped wurtzite ZnO micro- and nanowires were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. The nanostructures grew via a self-catalytic mechanism on the walls of an alumina boat. The structure and properties of the doped ZnO were characterized using X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) methods. A 10-min synthesis yielded vertically grown nanowires of 50–400 nm in diameter and several micrometers long. The nanowires grew along the ±[0001] direction. The Eu³⁺ concentration in the nanowires was 0.8 at.%. The crystal structure and microstructure of were compared for Eu³⁺-doped and undoped ZnO. PL spectra showed a red shift in emission for Eu³⁺-doped (2.02 eV) compared to undoped ZnO nanowires (2.37 eV) due to Eu³⁺ intraionic transitions. Diffuse reflectance spectra revealed widening of the optical bandgap by 0.12 eV for Eu³⁺-doped compared to undoped ZnO to yield a value of 3.31 eV. Fourier-transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence of europium in the ZnO nanowires.     

Sol-gel growth of Gd2MoO6:Eu nanocrystalline layers on SiO2 spheres (SiO2@Gd2MoO6:Eu) and their luminescent properties

SiO₂@Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ core-shell phosphors were prepared by the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the resulting SiO₂@Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ core-shell phosphors. The XRD results demonstrate that the Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ layers on the SiO₂ spheres begin to crystallize after annealing at 600 °C and the crystallinity increases with raising the annealing temperature. The obtained core-shell phosphors have a near perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size ca. 600 nm), are not agglomerated, and have a smooth surface. The thickness of the Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ shells on the SiO₂ cores could be easily tailored by varying the number of deposition cycles (50 nm for four deposition cycles). The Eu³⁺ shows a strong PL luminescence (dominated by ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ red emission at 613 nm) under the excitation of 307 nm UV light. The PL intensity of Eu³⁺ increases with increasing the annealing temperature and the number of coating cycles.