Photoluminescence properties of Y0.75-xGdxAl0.10BO3:Eu3+0.10, 0.05R3+ (R= Sc, Bi) (0.00≤x≤0.45)

Y$_{0.75 - x}$Gd_xAl_0.10BO$₃:Eu$^{3+}_0.10, 0.05R³⁺ ($R$=Sc, Bi) ($0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.45$) powder samples are prepared by solid-state reaction and their luminescence properties are investigated. With the replacement of Y³⁺$ ions by Sc³⁺$ (or Bi³⁺)$ and Gd³⁺$ ions in (Y,Al)BO$₃:Eu, the intensities of emission at 254 and 147~nm are remarkably improved, because Sc³⁺$ ions can absorb UV light and transfer the energy to Eu³⁺$ ions efficiently. Moreover, Gd³⁺$ and Bi$^{3 + }$ ions act as an intermediate ``bridge' between the sensitizer and the activator (Eu³⁺)$ in energy transfer to produce light in the (Y, Gd)BO$₃:Bi³⁺$, Eu³⁺$ system more effectively. After doping an appropriate concentration of Gd³⁺$ into Y$_{0.50}$Gd$_{0.25}$Al_0.10BO$₃:Eu³⁺_{0.01}$, Bi$^{3+}_{0.05}$, the emission intensity reaches its maximum, which is nearly 110{\%} compared with the red commercial phosphor (Y,Gd)BO$₃:Eu and better chromaticity coordinates (0.650, 0.350) are obtained.     

The concentration quenching and crystallographic sites of Eu²⁺ in Ca₂BO₃Cl

A yellow phosphor, Ca2BO3 Cl:Eu2+ , is prepared by the high-temperature solid-state method. Under the condition of excitation sources ranging from ultraviolet to visible light, efficient yellow emission can be observed. The emission spectrum shows an asymmetrical single intensive band centred at 573 nm, which corresponds to the 4f 6 5d 1 →4f 7 transition of Eu2+ . Eu2+ ions occupy two types of Ca2+ sites in the Ca2BO3 Cl lattice and form two corresponding emission centres, respectively, which lead to the asymmetrical emission of Eu2+ in Ca2 BO 3 Cl. The emission intensity of Eu2+ in Ca2BO3 Cl is influenced by the Eu2+ doping concentration. Concentration quenching is discovered, and its mechanism is verified to be a dipole–dipole interaction. The value of the critical transfer distance is calculated to be 2.166 nm, which is in good agreement with the 2.120 nm value derived from the experimental data.     

Enhancement of red emission by co-dopant Ln3+ ions in Eu3+ :LaOF nanoparticles

Fluoride nanoparticles of Ln3+(Ln3+=Pr3+,Nd3+,Sm3+,Gd3+,Tb3+Dy3+,Ho3+,Er3+,Tm3+,Yb3+)/Eu3+:LaOF and Eu3+ :LaOF with rhombohedral crystal structure were prepared by a hydrothermal-sintering method. The red fluorescence emission of Eu3+ ions was found to be enhanced with most of the co-dopant Ln3+ ions. Compared with strong fluorescence emission at 610 nm of Eu3+ :LaOF nanoparticles, the enhancement factors was up to ten times in Ln3+(Ln3+ =Gd3+,Dy3+,Tm3+)/Eu3+ :LaOF co-doped nanoparticles. The results show that the asymmetry of the local environment of Eu3+ ion was reduced by co-doping Ln3+ ion into the nanoparticles, and that energy transfer might occur between Eu3+ and codopant Ln3+ ions, which is suggested as the source of the observed fluorescence enhancement.     

White emission from Tm3+/Tb3+/Eu3+ co-doped fluoride zirconate under ultraviolet excitation

We synthesize Tm3+/Tb3+/Eu3+triply-doped ZrF4–BaF2–LaF3–AlF3–NaF(ZBLAN) transparent glass by using a melt-quenching method. Under excitation of 365 nm, the white emission with Commission internationale deL’Eclairage(CIE) coordinates of(0.33, 0.33) is achieved at the Eu3+concentration of 1.1 mol%. The mechanisms for white emission and the energy transfer process of Tb3+→ Eu3+are discussed in terms of the photoluminescence, photoluminescence excitation spectra, and the light emission decay curves. The nature for the Tb3+→ Eu3+energy transfer is described with the aid of an energy level diagram.     

A strong green-emitting phosphor： K3Gd（PO4）2：Tb3＋ for UV-excited white light-emitting-diodes

K3Gd(PO4)2:Tb3+ phosphors are synthesized by the solid reaction method,and the phases and luminescence properties of the obtained phosphors are well characterized.The emission spectra of K3Gd(PO4)2:Tb3+ exhibit the typical emissions of Tb3+.Concentration quenching of Tb3+ is not observed in K3Gd(PO4)2:Tb3+,likely because the shortest average distance of Tb3+–Tb3+ in K3Gd(PO4)2:Tb3+ is adequately long such that energy transfer between Tb3+–Tb3+ ions cannot take place effectively.This result indicates that K3Tb(PO4)2 phosphors have potential application in near ultraviolet(n-UV)-convertible phosphors for white light-emitting diodes.     

Synthesis and characterization of Sr3Al2O6：Eu2＋, Dy3＋ phosphors prepared by sol-gel-combustion processing

A type of red luminescent Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor powder is synthesised by sol-gel-combustion processing, with metal nitrates used as the source of metal ions and citric acid as a chelating agent of metal ions. By tracing the formation process of the sol-gel, it is found that it is necessary to reduce the amount of NO3- by dropping ethanol into the solution for forming a stable and homogeneous sol-gel. Thermogravimetric and Differential Scanning Calorimeter Analysis, x-ray diffractionmeter, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy are used to investigate the luminescent properties of the as-synthesised Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+, Dy3+. The results reveal that the Sr3Al2O6 crystallises completely when the combustion ash is sintered at 1250 C. The excitation and the emission spectra indicate that the excitation broadband lies mainly in a visible range and the phosphors emit a strong light at 618 nm under the excitation of 472 nm. The afterglow of (Sr0.94Eu0.03Dy0.03)3Al2O6 phosphors sintered at 1250 ℃ lasts for over 1000 s when the excited source is cut off.     

Quantum cutting downconversion by cooperative energy transfer from Bi3+ to Yb3+ in Y2O3 phosphor

Bi~(3+) and Yb~(3+) codoped cubic Y2O3 phosphors are prepared by pechini sol-gel method.Strong near-infrared (NIR) emission around 980 nm from Yb~(3+)(2F5/2 → 2F7/2) is observed under ultraviolet light excitation.A broad excitation band ranging from 320 to 360 nm,owing to the 6s 2 →6s6p transition of Bi~(3+) ions,is recorded when the Yb~(3+) emission is monitored,which suggests a very efficient energy transfer from Bi~(3+) ions to Yb~(3+) ions.The Yb~(3+) concentration dependences of both the Bi~(3+) and the Yb~(3+) emissions are investigated.The decay curve of Bi ~(3+) emission under the excitation of 355 nm pulse laser is used to explore the Bi~(3+) →Yb~(3+) energy transfer process.Cooperative energy transfer (CET) is discussed as a possible mechanism for the near-infrared emission.     

Luminescence properties of ZnS：Cu, Eu semiconductor nanocrystals synthesized by a hydrothermal process

ZnS:Cu, Eu nanocrystals with an average diameter of ～ 80 nm are synthesized using a hydrothermal approach at 200 C. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the ZnS:Cu, Eu nanocrystals before and after annealing, as well as the doping form of Eu, are studied. The as-synthesized samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, and the excitation and emission spectra (PL). The results show that both Cu and Eu are indeed incorporated into the ZnS matrix. Compared with the PL spectrum of the Cu mono-doped sample, the PL emission intensity of the Cu and Eu-codoped sample increases and a peak appears at 516 nm, indicating that Eu 3+ ions, which act as an impurity compensator and activator, are incorporated into the ZnS matrix, forming a donor level. Compared with the unannealed sample, the annealed one has an increased PL emission intensity and the peak position has a blue shift of 56 nm from 516 nm to 460 nm, which means that Eu 3+ ions reduce to Eu 2+ ions, thereby leading to the appearance of Eu 2+ characteristic emission and generating effective host-to-Eu 2+ energy transfer. The results indicate the potential applications of ZnS:Cu, Eu nanoparticles in optoelectronic devices.     

Improving luminescent property of SrIn2 O4 :Eu3+ by co-doped A+ （A = Li, Na, K） or Sm3+

A series of SrIn2 O4 :Eu3+ phosphors are synthesized by a high temperature solid-state method, and their luminescent properties are investigated. They can be excited by 395-nm radiation, and produce red emission (619 nm); however, they have a low absorption of near-ultraviolet light with the wavelength of 400nm-405 nm. When co-doped with A+ (A=Li, Na, K), the emission intensity of SrIn2O4 :Eu3+ is significantly enhanced, but its emission and excitation spectral profile is unchanged. With co-doping Sm3+ , not only is the emission intensity of SrIn2 O4 :Eu3+ enhanced, but also the absorption is broadened and strengthened in the range of 400 nm-405nm. The effect of Sm3+ -doped content on the emission intensity of SrIn2O4 :Eu3+ , Sm3+ is investigated, and the optimal Sm3+ content is 0.02 mol.     

Luminescence Properties of Ca4GdO（BO3）3：RE （RE=Eu^3＋,Tb^3＋） under VUV Excitation

We experimentally investigated the VUV excitation luminescence properties of Ca4 GdO(B03)3 :RE (RE=Eu^3 , Tb^3 )Ca4GdO(BO3)3:Eu3 and Ca4GdO(BO3)3:Tb^3 emitted bright red and green colour light, respectively, under 172 nm excitation, resulting from the favorable position of the host absorption band (186 nm) and efficient energy transfer from Gd^3 to activators (e.g. Eu^3 or Tb^3 ) by means of secondary absorption in the Ca4GdO(BO3)3 matrix. The f-d transitions of Eu^3 and Tb^3 in the host lattice are depicted.     

Enhanced Brightness of Eu^3＋ Complex in Organinc Electroluminescent Devices by Using Another Rare—Earth Ion

Rare-earth ions Tb^3 and La^3 were used as a bridge to improve the energy transfer from the polymer to an Eu complex.The material Tb(La)0.5Eu0.5(BSA)3 phen was synthesized and used as the emission layer in the device:ITO/PVK:Tb(La)0.5Eu0.5(BSA)3phen/Alq/Al.The two device were compared in detail and it was found that the device using La0.5Eu0.5(BSA)3phen as the emission material had better monochromatic characteristics with the maximal brightness of 102 ca/m^2 and the colour coordinates x=0.55 and y=0.36.     

Novel Dy^3＋-doped Gd（PO3）3 white-light phosphors under VUV excitation for Hg-free lamps application

Novel Dy3+-doped Gd(PO3)3 white light phosphors each with an orthorhombic system are successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction.The luminescence properties of white-light Gd1-x(PO3)3:xDy3+(0 x ≤ 0.25) under vacuum ultraviolet(VUV) excitation are investigated.The strong absorption at around 147 nm in excitation spectrum energy can be transferred to the energy levels of Dy3+ ion from the host absorption.Additionally,the white light phosphor is activated by a single Dy3+ ion.Therefore,the luminescence of Gd1-x(PO3)3:xDy(0 x ≤ 0.25) under VUV excitation is effective,and it has the promise of being applied to mercury-free lamps.     

Near-infrared downconversion in Eu2＋ and Pr3＋ co-doped KSrPO4 phosphor

A novel near-infrared (NIR) downconversion (DC) phosphor KSrPO4 :Eu2+ , Pr3+ is synthesized by the conventional high temperature solid-state reaction. The Eu2+ acts as an efficient sensitizer for Pr3+ in the KSrPO4 host. With broad-band near-ultraviolet light excitation induced by the 4f→5d transition of Eu2+ , the characteristic NIR emission of Pr3+ , peaking at 974 nm and 1019 nm due to 3P0 → 1G4 and 1G4 → 3H4 transitions, is generated as a result of the energy transfer from Eu2+ to Pr3+ . The luminescence spectra in both the visible and the NIR regions and the decay lifetime curves of Eu2+ prove the energy transfer from Eu2+ to Pr3+ . This Eu2+ and Pr3+ co-doped KSrPO4 phosphor may be a promising candidate to modify the spectral mismatch behavior of crystalline solar cells and sunlight.     

The luminescence enhancement of Eu^3＋ ion and SnO2 nanocrystal co-doped sol-gel SiO2 films

SnO₂ nanocrystal and rare-earth Eu～（3+） ion co-doped SiO₂ thin films are prepared by sol-gel and spin coating methods.The formation of tetragonal rutile structure SnO₂ nanocrystals with a uniform distribution is confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used to investigate the densities of the hydroxyl groups,and it is found that the emission intensity from the 5 D 0 7 F 2 transitions of the Eu～（3+） ions is enhanced by two orders of magnitude due to energy transfer from the oxygen-vacancy-related defects of the SnO₂ nanocrystals to nearby Eu～（3+） ions.The influences of the amounts of Sn and the post-annealing temperatures are systematically evaluated to further understand the mechanism of energy transfer.The luminescence intensity ratio of Eu～（3+） ions from electric dipole transition and magnetic dipole transition indicate the different probable locations of Eu～（3+） ions in the sol-gel thin film,which are further discussed based on temperature-dependent photoluminescence measurements.     

Up-conversion photoluminescence characteristics of Yb3+:Er3+:Tm3+ co-doped borosilicate glasses

Yb3+:Er3+:Tm3+ co-doped borosilicate glasses are prepared.Their strong up-conversion photoluminescence spectra in a range from ultra-violet to near-infrared,which are excited by a 978-nm laser diode,are measured,and the mechanisms of energy transfer among Yb3+,Er3+ and Tm3+ ions are discussed.The results show that there is an unexpected wavelength at 900-nm emission from Yb3+ Stark splitting levels to pump Tm3+ ions and there exists an optimum pump power.The concentration of the Tm3+ dopant gives rise to a prominent effect on the intensity of visible and near-infrared emissions for the Yb3+:Er3+:Tm3+ co-doped borosilicate glasses.     

Fluorescence properties of divalent and trivalent europium ions in CdWO4 single crystals grown by the Bridgman method

Optical absorption,excitation,and fluorescence were investigated in Eu ion-doped CdWO4 single crystal grown by a modified Bridgman method.The results indicate that Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions coexist in CdWO4 crystal and an energy transfer occurs between these Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions.When the crystal is excited by 266-nm light,the energy corresponding to the 4f65d to 8S7/2 transition of Eu2+ ions results in the excitation of the Eu3+ ions to the 5DJ level.The effect on fluorescence of annealing in oxygen at various temperatures was investigated.The excitation intensity of Eu2+ ions at 266 nm decreases as annealing temperature increases from 300 K to 1073 K,but it remains at a certain equilibrium level when the annealing temperature is further increased.     

Energy transfer relation of a novel Ce~(3+)/Pr~(3+)/Eu~(3+) co-doped Sr_(2.975-x)La_xAlO_(4+x)F_(1-x) solid solution phosphor

The photoluminescence properties and energy transfer of a new Ce3+/ Pr3+/ Eu3+co-doped solid-solution composition of Sr2.975-xLaxAlO4+xF1-x(LSAF) phosphor are investigated. Upon doping Pr3+into lattices of LSAF:Ce host,a shoulder emission peak is observed at about 620 nm, owing to the transition of1D2→3H4. Addition of Eu3+to LSAF:Ce3+, Pr3+phosphor results in a sharp emission peaked at 675 nm for the5D0→7F3transition and an increase of the intensity of red emission for Pr3+with increasing Eu3+concentration. The pathways of energy transfer among Ce3+, Pr3+, and Eu3+are proposed to be responsible for color addition of a red component to the primary yellow emission,enabling a potential adjustable color for blue excitable warm white.     

2.0-μm emission and energy transfer of Ho~(3+)/Yb~(3+) co-doped LiYF_4 single crystal excited by 980 nm

Ho3+/Yb3+co-doped Li YF4 single crystals with various Yb3+concentrations and ～ 0.98 mol% Ho3+concentration are grown by the Bridgman method under the conditions of taking Li F and YF3 as raw materials and a temperature gradient(40°C/cm–50°C/cm) for the solid–liquid interface.The luminescent performances of the crystals are investigated through emission spectra,infrared transmittance spectrum,emission cross section,and decay curves under excitation by 980 nm.Compared with the Ho3+single-doped Li YF4 crystal,the Ho3+/Yb3+co-doped Li YF4 single crystal has an obviously enhanced emission band from 1850 nm to 2150 nm observed when excited by a 980-nm diode laser.The energy transfer from Yb3+to Ho3+and the optimum fluorescence emission around 2.0 μm of Ho3+ions are investigated.The maximum emission cross section of the above sample at 2.0 μm is calculated to be 1.08×10-20cm2 for the Li YF4 single crystal of1-mol% Ho3+and 6-mol% Yb3+according to the measured absorption spectrum.The high energy transfer efficiency of88.9% from Yb3+to Ho3+ion in the sample co-doped by Ho3+(1 mol%) and Yb3+(8 mol%) demonstrates that the Yb3+ions can efficiently sensitize the Ho3+ions.     

A novel yellow emitting phosphor Dy3+, Bi3+ co-doped YVO4 potentially for white light emitting diodes

Novel Y1 x yVO4:xDy3+,yBi3+(0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.05,0 ≤ y ≤ 0.20) phosphors for light emitting diode(LED) were successfully synthesised by solid-state reaction.The calculation results of electronic structure show that YVO4 has a direct band gap with 3 eV at G.The top of the valence band is dominated by O 2p state and the bottom of the conduction band is mainly composed of O 2p and V 3d states.An efficient yellow emission under near-ultraviolet(365 nm) excitation is observed.Compared with the pure YVO4:Dy3+ samples,the Dy3+,Bi3+ co-doped samples show a more intensive emission peak(at 574 nm) and a new broad emission band(450-770 nm),due to the 4F9/2 6H13/2 transition of Dy3+ and the emission of the VO3 4 Bi3+ complex respectively.The optimum chromaticity index of Y1 x yVO4:xDy3+,yBi3+(0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.05,0 ≤ y ≤ 0.20) is(0.447,0.497),which indicates that YVO4:Dy3+,Bi3+ has higher colour saturation than the commercial phosphor YAG:Ce3+.The effects of concentration of Dy3+,Bi3+,electric states and the photoluminescence properties are discussed in details.     

The concentration quenching and crystallographic sites of Eu2+ in Ca2BO3Cl

A yellow phosphor, Ca2BO3CI：Eu2＋, is prepared by the high-temperature solid-state method. Under the condition of excitation sources ranging from ultraviolet to visible light, efficient yellow emission can be observed. The emission spectrum shows an asymmetrical single intensive band centred at 573 nm, which corresponds to the 4f65dl→4f7 transition of Eu2＋. Eu2＋ ions occupy two types of Ca2＋ sites in the Ca2BO3C1 lattice and form two corresponding emission centres, respectively, which lead to the asymmetrical emission of Eu2＋ in Ca2BO3C1. The emission intensity of Eu2＋ in Ca2BO3C1 is influenced by the Eu2＋ doping concentration. Concentration quenching is discovered, and its mechanism is verified to be a dipole-dipole interaction. The value of the critical transfer distance is calculated to be 2.166 nm, which is in good agreement with the 2.120 nm value derived from the experimental data.