Preparation and Characterization of GdTaO<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Sol-Gel Luminescence Thin Films

High quality GdTaO₄:Eu³⁺ luminescence films have been successfully prepared through a modified sol-gel process. The films were prepared using inorganic materials as raw materials, and the thermal decomposition and UV assisted technique were introduced to improve the quality of the film and reduce the period for forming the thick film. Results of structural studies by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the surface was smooth and the structure was monoclinic with the average grain size of about 55 nm. The emission and excitation spectra of the film were investigated. Related to the transition ⁵ D₀ →⁷ F₁ and ⁵ D₀→⁷ F₂ of Eu³⁺ ions, the main luminescence peaks were observed at 591 and 611 nm respectively, and the luminescence peak at 345 nm was detected simultaneously related to the TaO₄³⁻ emission. Transmission spectrum and decay curve of the luminescence are also presented in this paper.     

Structural, optical and thermal studies of Eu ions in lithium fluoroborate glasses

Borate glasses doped with trivalent europium were prepared by the conventional melt quenching technique, in the chemical composition of (49.99-x)B₂O₃ + 25Li₂O + 25LiF+xEu₂O₃ by varying the concentration of the rare earth ion in the order 0.01, 0.1, 1, 2 and 3 wt% and their structural, luminescence and thermal behavior have been reported. The XRD and FTIR spectra reveal the glass structure and the functional groups. The UV–VIS, luminescence spectra and lifetime of the Eu³⁺ ions were measured. The local site symmetry around the Eu³⁺ ions were evaluated through the luminescence intensity ratio (R) of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ transitions. Optical measurements have been carried out to explore the optical properties such as bonding parameters, Judd–Ofelt parameters, stimulated emission cross-section, transition probability, branching ratio, radiative lifetime, etc. The lifetime measurements of the ⁵D₀ level as a function of the concentration of Eu³⁺ ion have been found and is comparable to other reported for Eu³⁺ doped borate, phosphate glasses and higher than that for the tellurite glasses. The thermal properties such as glass transition, crystallization and melting temperatures of the Eu³⁺ glasses were studied through the DSC traces in the temperature range of 30−1200 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C per minute. The change in optical properties with the variation of Eu³⁺ ion concentration have been discussed and compared with similar results.     

Effect of Europium Ion Concentrations on the Photoluminescence Emission of Nano-Crystalline BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Prepared by Sol–Gel Technique

Nano-crystalline. ferroelectric Eu³⁺: BaTiO₃ powders and thin films have been prepared using (Ba(Ac)₂), and titanium butoxide (Ti(C₄H₉O)₄), as precursors. The thin films were prepared by spin coating using the sol–gel method. The evolution of the network bonds and the structural characterization of the prepared samples was studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, respectively. The as-grown thin films and powders were found to be amorphous, and crystallized to the tetragonal phase after annealing at 750^∘C in air for 30 min. The crystallite size of the doped sample with 4% Eu³⁺ ions in the form of thin film and powder was found to be equal to = 21 and 32 nm, respectively.The photoluminescence of nano-crystalline powders and thin films at 488 nm were reported. The luminescence spectra of ultra fine Eu³⁺: BaTiO₃ powders and thin films are dominated by the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_j (j = 0−4) transitions, suggesting a strong distortion of the Eu³⁺ sites. The disorder contributes, together with the presence of numerous charge compensation mechanisms, to the strong inhomogeneous broadening of the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_j luminescence band of the Eu³⁺.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of rare-earth-doped CeO2–CaF2 solid solutions via chemical solution routes

CeO₂–CaF₂ solid solutions were synthesized by a chemical solution method starting from metal acetates, trifluoroacetic acid as a fluorine source, and anhydrous ethanol as a solvent. Precursor gels, which were obtained by drying the resultant ethanolic solution at 110 °C, were heat-treated at a temperature in the range 400–1000 °C in air to obtain powdery products. Elemental analysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that heating products actually contained cerium, calcium, oxygen, and fluorine. According to X-ray diffraction analysis, possible reaction pathways under high-temperature treatments were considered as initial formation of fluorides (CeF₃ and CaF₂), subsequent oxidation of Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺ in air, and final conversion to fluorite-type Ce–Ca–O–F solid solutions. Doping of Eu³⁺ or Sm³⁺ ions in the solid solutions led to occurrence of their characteristic photoluminescence due to intra-configurational f–f electronic transitions. Photo-excitation was achieved by irradiation with near ultraviolet light mainly through charge transfer from O²⁻ to Ce⁴⁺ in the solid solutions and subsequent energy transfer to the doped ions. Spectral structures of photoluminescence suggested the occupation of Eu³⁺ or Sm³⁺ in Ce⁴⁺ sites with inversion symmetry in the solid solutions.     

Valence and environment of rare earth ions in CaAl2O4:Eu,R persistent luminescence materials

The existence of the different R²⁺/R³⁺/R^IV (R: rare earth) ions as well as the modifications in the structural environment around the dopant and co-dopants in CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,R³⁺ persistent luminescence materials was studied by L_III edge X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) measurements at Hamburger Synchrotronstrahlungslabor (HASYLAB) at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) (Hamburg, Germany). The measurements were carried out at 10 and 296 K for selected rare earth (co-)dopants (Eu²⁺; Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, and Yb³⁺).     

CaWO4:xEu3+,ySm3+,zLi+红色荧光粉的制备及光学性能

采用微波固相法制备了CaWO₄：xEu³⁺,ySm³⁺,zLi⁺红色荧光粉。测量样品的XRD图、激发谱、发射谱及发光衰减曲线,研究并分析了Eu³⁺、Sm³⁺、Li⁺的掺杂浓度,对样品微结构、光致发光特性、能量传递及能级寿命的影响。结果表明,Eu³⁺、Sm³⁺、Li⁺掺杂并未引起合成粉体改变晶相,仍为CaWO₄单一四方晶系结构。Eu³⁺、Sm³⁺共掺样品中,Sm³⁺掺杂为3%时,Sm³⁺对Eu³⁺的能量传递最有效。Li⁺掺杂起到了助熔剂和敏化剂的作用,使样品发光更强。在394 nm激发下,与CaWO₄：3%Eu³⁺样品比较,3%Eu³⁺、3%Sm³⁺共掺CaWO₄及3%Eu³⁺、3%Sm³⁺、1%Li⁺共掺CaWO₄样品的发光分别增强2倍及2.4倍。同一激发波长下,单掺Eu³⁺样品寿命最短,Sm³⁺、Eu³⁺共掺样品随Sm³⁺浓度增加,寿命先减小后增加,且掺杂了Li⁺的样品比不掺Li⁺的样品⁵D₀能级寿命有所增加。     

Anodic Dissolution of Samarium in an Acetonitrile Solution in Acetylacetone

Electrochemical dissolution of metallic samarium is studied in an acetonitrile solution containing 0.1 M tetraethylammonium bromide and 0.9 M acetylacetone. The study is performed in an argon atmosphere, at a constant voltage of 3 V and various ratios between the cathode and anode areas. If the cathode area considerably exceeds the anode area, as a result of anodic oxidation of samarium, ions Sm³⁺ form in solution, undergo reduction to Sm²⁺, and 20–25 min later generate chelate complex Sm₄(AA)₈ · 3HAA, which is insoluble in acetonitrile. Simultaneously, Sm³⁺ interacts with deprotonated acetylacetone. Chelate complex Sm(AA)₃ · HAA is extracted from solution. If the anode area exceeds the cathode area, no reduction of Sm³⁺ to Sm²⁺ occurs on the cathode, and eventually adducted samariumtris–acetylacetonate Sm(AA)₃ · 4HAA is extracted from solution. The composition of the obtained compounds is confirmed by IR and mass spectrometry, thermogravimetry, isothermic heating, and elemental analysis for metal.     

Sol-Gel Processing of Sm2+-Doped Glass and Its Spectral Hole Burning at Room Temperature

The sol-gel process was applied to the preparation of Sm²⁺ ion-doped silicate glasses, which show persistent spectral hole burning at room temperature. The gels synthesized by the hydrolysis of metal alkoxides and SmCl₃·6H₂O were heated in air at 500°C, were then reacted with H₂ gas to form the Sm²⁺ ion. The Al₂O₃−SiO₂2 glasses are appropriate to reduce the Sm³⁺ ion with H₂ gas and show intense photoluminescence of Sm²⁺ ion. Persistent spectra hole burning was observed in the excitation spectrum for the⁷F₀→⁵D₀ transition of the Sm²⁺ ion by the irradiation of DCM dye laser. The hole width and depth were ∼16 cm⁻¹ and ∼10% of the total intensity, respectively, at 20°C.     

Reduction of Cu2+ to Cu+ in Xerogels Prepared from (3-Aminopropyl)Trimethoxysilane

Silica gels doped with Cu²⁺ ions were prepared from the (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APTMOS)/tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) systems. Sols showed a broad absorption peak at 640 nm, suggesting 3–5 coordination of the aminopropyl groups to Cu²⁺. For gels prepared from APTMOS and dried at room temperature, the 640 nm peak decreased and a red-shifted absorption appeared below 400 nm within a few months. The luminescence spectra of the xerogels showed emission bands at 430–470 and 510 nm. The former and latter bands are ascribed to Cu⁺ monomer and dimer emissions, respectively. These results indicate that Cu²⁺ ions are reduced to Cu⁺. When xerogels were prepared from APTMOS/TEOS = 1 (vol/vol), the color of xerogels was blue with an absorption peak at around 670 nm, indicating no reduction of Cu²⁺ ions.     

Experimental and theoretical spectral properties of ethyl 2-(7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)acetate doped sol-gel materials: new materials with potential optical application

Silica xerogels and monoliths, containing ethyl 2-(7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)acetate (K4) or Sm^{3 +} ions and K4 are prepared by sol-gel technique. NMR investigations, UV/Vis, IR- and luminescence spectral properties of K4 in solution and in monoliths are presented. The IR-spectroscopic properties of the prepared sol-gel materials are examined by applying the reduced-difference procedure to non-polarized IR-spectra. The results show that the sol-gel medium did not interact with K4 as well as in the presence of Sm³⁺ ions the K4 form a [Sm(L)₂(H₂O)₄] × (NO₃)₃ complex in the matrix. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

稀土掺杂Lu3Al5O12荧光粉的发光特性及能量传递

采用高温固相法制备了Ce、Sm共掺Lu_3Al_5O_(12)荧光粉。通过X射线衍射分析、荧光光谱分析研究了样品的结构、发光特性,并通过理论计算研究了能量传递效率、能量传递的临界距离以及能量传递方式。X射线衍射分析表明所制备的荧光粉具有单一的石榴石结构;荧光光谱分析表明,在464 nm蓝光激发下,Sm~(3+)的引入可增加Lu_3Al_5O_(12)∶Ce,Sm发射光谱中红光成分,并且随着Sm~(3+)浓度的增加,Ce~(3+)发光强度逐渐减弱。计算出Ce~(3+)、Sm~(3+)之间的能量传递效率高达77.42%,确定了Ce~(3+)、Sm~(3+)之间的能量传递机制为偶极-偶极相互作用。     

A one-step solvothermal route for the synthesis of nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 doped with lanthanide ions

A one-step solvothermal synthesis is proposed for the preparation of nanocrystalline single-phase TiO₂ in the anatase form doped with lanthanide ions Eu³⁺, Er³⁺ and Sm³⁺. The structural properties of these products have been investigated by using X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, the laser-excited luminescence spectra of the samples have been measured and analyzed. Following this route, the doping process turns out to be highly favorite and the resulting materials show an efficient luminescence in the visible region.     

A novel red emitting phosphor Ca2SnO4: Eu

A novel red emitting phosphor, Eu³⁺-doped Ca₂SnO₄, was prepared by the solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of Ca₂SnO₄: Eu³⁺. Field-emission scanning electron-microscopy (FE-SEM) observation indicated a narrow size-distribution of about 500 nm for the particles with spherical shape. Photoluminescence measurements indicated that the phosphor exhibits bright red emission at about 615 nm under UV excitation. The excellent luminescence properties make it possible as a good candidate for plasma display panels (PDP) application. Splitting of the ⁵D₀-⁷F_J transitions of Ca₂SnO₄: Eu³⁺ suggests that the Eu³⁺ ions occupied two nonequivalent sites in the crystallite. The luminescence lifetime measurement showed a bi-exponential decay, providing other evidence for the existence of two different environments for Eu³⁺ ions.     

TSL and EPR studies of SrBPO5 doped with CeO2and co-doped with CeO2 and Sm2O3

Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations were carried out on gamma irradiated SrBPO₅ samples doped with CeO₂ and co-doped with CeO₂ and Sm₂O₃. On gamma-irradiation at room temperature, BO₃ ^2–, O₂ ^– and O^– radicals were produced. It was seen that the O^– radical ion disappeared in the sample annealed at 500 K. It is proposed that the recombination between trapped electrons and O^– radical ions results in transfer of recombination energy to the impurity centre Ce³⁺ resulting in TSL glow peak at 485 K. In the case of co-doped samples energy transfer occurs between Ce³⁺ to Sm³⁺ resulting in increase in the intensity of glow peak at 485 K.The authors are grateful to Dr. V. K. Manchanda, Head, Radiochemistry Division, BARC for his keen interest and encouragement during the course of this work.     

TSL and EPR studies of SrBPO5 doped with CeO2 and co-doped with CeO2 and Sm2O3

Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigations were carried out on gamma irradiated SrBPO₅ samples doped with CeO₂ and co-doped with CeO₂ and Sm₂O₃. On gamma-irradiation at room temperature, BO₃ ^2–, O₂ ^– and O^– radicals were produced. It was seen that the O^– radical ion disappeared in the sample annealed at 500 K. It is proposed that the recombination between trapped electrons and O^– radical ions results in transfer of recombination energy to the impurity centre Ce³⁺ resulting in TSL glow peak at 485 K. In the case of co-doped samples energy transfer occurs between Ce³⁺ to Sm³⁺ resulting in increase in the intensity of glow peak at 485 K.The authors are grateful to Dr. V. K. Manchanda, Head, Radiochemistry Division, BARC for his keen interest and encouragement during the course of this work.     

Synthesis and spectral characteristics of Sr2Y8(SiO4)6O2: Eu polycrystals

Spectral-luminescent characteristics of Sr₂Y₈(SiO₄)₆O₂: Eu powder crystal phosphor with the apatite structure and high-intensity luminescence of Eu³⁺ ions have been studied. The charge state of europium in the samples has been characterized by means of X-ray L₃-adsorption spectroscopy. It was established that Eu³⁺ forms two types of optical centers. Besides, luminescence of Eu²⁺ions was found. Reduction Eu³⁺→Eu²⁺ was considered, which may be due to vacancy formation in the 4f crystal lattice position and to negative charge transfer by this vacancy to two ions. Thus, in the silicate lattice there exist inhomogeneously distributed oxygen-deficient centers, which are responsible for nonradiative transfer of excitation energy to Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions. To study electron-vibrational interactions in the crystal phosphor samples, their IR and Raman spectra were examined. In the luminescence spectrum of Eu²⁺, a series of low-intensity bands caused by interaction of the 4f⁶5d state of Eu²⁺ with silicate lattice vibrations was observed.     

Vacuum Ultraviolet Excited Photoluminescence Properties of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ Phosphor

As an Hg-free lamp using phosphor, the Bi^3＋ and EH^3＋ co-doped Y2O2S phosphors were prepared and their luminescence properties under vacuum ultraviolet（VUV） excitation were investigated. The VUV photoluminescent intensity of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋ was weak, however, considerably stronger red emission at 626 nm with good color purity was observed in Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ systems. Investigation on the photoluminescence reveals that the strong VUV luminescence of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ at 147 nm is mainly because the Bi^3＋ acts as a medium and effectively performs the energy transfer process： Y^3＋-O^2-→Bi^3＋→Eu^3＋, while the intense emission band at 172 nm is attributed to the absorption of the characteristic ^1So-^1P1 transition of Bi^3＋ and the direct energy transfer from Bi^3＋ to Eu^3＋. The Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ shows excellent VUV optical properties compared with the commercial （Y,Gd）BO3：Eu^3＋. Thus, the Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ can be a potential red VUV-excited candidate applied in Hg-free lamps for backlight of liquid crystal display.     

CaF2对CaO-CaF2-B2O3-SiO2：Sm2O3玻璃的光致发光增强效应

用高温熔融法制备了掺杂Sm₂O₃的CaO-CaF₂-B₂O₃-SiO₂(CFBS:Sm)发光玻璃材料, 并借助X射线衍射(XRD)谱、傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱以及光致发光(PL)光谱等分析手段研究了玻璃基体中CaF₂的摩尔分数及其结构、红外透过性能以及荧光性能的关系. XRD和FTIR测试表明, 玻璃基体中引入CaF₂并未引起非晶结构的变化但其红外透过峰发生移动. 光谱学测试表明, CFBS:Sm发光玻璃在404 nm波长激发下出现对应于Sm³⁺离子位于566、603和650 nm的特征荧光峰, 其发光颜色为橙红色(x=0.531, y=0.371). 此外, 随着玻璃基体中CaF₂摩尔分数的增加, CFBS:Sm发光玻璃的荧光发射强度、荧光寿命(Sm³⁺的⁴G_5/2能级)和荧光量子效率也表现出增大的趋势. 这种CFBS:Sm发光玻璃中荧光发射强度和荧光寿命的提高主要是由于玻璃基体中的CaF₂替代CaO引起基体相互作用和声子能量降低、无辐射跃迁减弱造成的.     

Luminescence properties of Dy3+ or/and Sm3+ doped LiLa(WO4)2 phosphors and energy transfer from Dy3+ to Sm3+

The Dy³⁺ or/and Sm³⁺ doped LiLa(WO₄)₂ phosphors are synthesized by a facile solid state reaction method. The phase and luminescence properties of the phosphors are investigated. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that the phosphor has a tetragonal phase crystal structure. The quenching concentration of single doped Dy³⁺ and Sm³⁺ in the LiLa(WO₄)₂ are determined to be 6% and 3%, respectively. Under the excitation of 404 nm, warm white light is obtained in the co-doped phosphors. With the concentration of Sm³⁺ increasing, the correlated color temperature (CCT) gradually decreases from 3090 to 2453 K. Two kinds of energy transfer may exist at the same time. The overlap between the emission spectrum of Dy³⁺ and the excitation spectrum of Sm³⁺ reveals that the energy of Dy³⁺ can transfer to Sm³⁺ via radiation. Another way of energy transfer, that is non-radiative energy transfer, is attributed to the excited state of Dy³⁺ (⁴F_9/2) slightly higher than that of Sm³⁺ (⁴I_19/2). The calculation results show that non-radiative energy transfer process from Dy³⁺ to Sm³⁺ ions is predominated by quadrupole–quadrupole interaction.     

Comparative investigation on structure and luminescence properties of fluoride phosphors codoped with Er/Yb

This paper reports on comparative investigation of structure and luminescence properties of tetragonal LiYF₄ and BaYF₅, and hexagonal NaYF₄ phosphors codoped with Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ by a facile hydrothermal synthesis. The products were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Intense visible emissions centered at around 525, 550 and 650 nm, originated from the transitions of ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺, respectively, have been observed in all the samples upon excitation with a 980 nm laser diode, and the involved mechanisms have been explained. Based on the green up-conversion emission performance, the Yb³⁺ concentrations of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped LiYF₄, BaYF₅, and NaYF₄ phosphors have been optimized to be 10, 20, and 20 mol.%, respectively. The quadratic dependence of fluorescence on excitation laser power has confirmed that two-photon contribute to up-conversion of the green–red emissions.