Enhanced photoluminescence properties of Zn2SiO4:Mn co-activated with Y/Li under VUV excitation

A series of green phosphors Zn_1.92−2xY_xLi_xSiO₄:0.08Mn²⁺ (0≤x≤0.03) were prepared by solid-state synthesis method. Phase and lattice parameters of the synthesized phosphors were characterized by powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and the co-doped effects of Y³⁺/Li⁺ upon emission intensity and decay time were investigated under 147 nm excitation. The results indicate that the co-doping of Y³⁺/Li⁺ has favorable influence on the photoluminescence properties of Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺, and the optimal photoluminescence intensity of Zn_1.90Y_0.01Li_0.01SiO₄:0.08Mn²⁺ is 103% of that of commercial phosphor when the doping concentration of Y³⁺/Li⁺ is 0.01 mol. Additionally, the decay time of phosphor is much shortened and the decay time of Zn_1.90Y_0.01Li_0.01SiO₄:0.08Mn²⁺ is 3.39 ms, shorter by 1.83 ms than that of commercial product after Y³⁺/Li⁺ co-doping.     

White light generation through the zinc metaphosphate glass activated by Ce, Tb and Mn ions

The photoluminescence of Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions was investigated in the Zn(PO₃)₂ glass. The blue and green emissions of Tb³⁺ ions and the red emission of Mn²⁺ ions are enhanced upon UV excitation through a non-radiative energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions. The efficiency of this transfer was estimated in at least 62%. It is demonstrated that this glass activated with three ions (Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Mn²⁺) can generate white light emission (x=0.420 and y=0.423 chromaticity coordinates and 3440 K colour temperature) under excitation at 254 nm, i.e., using an AlGaN-based LED as excitation source.     

Photoluminescence characterization of Ce and Dy doped Li2CaGeO4 phosphors

Ce³⁺ and Dy³⁺ activated Li₂CaGeO₄ phosphors were prepared by a solid-state reaction method, and characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction) and photoluminescence techniques. The characteristic emission bands of Dy³⁺ due to ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 (blue) and ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 (yellow) transitions were detected in the emission spectra of Li₂CaGeO₄:Dy³⁺. Ce³⁺ broad band emission was observed in Li₂CaGeO₄:Ce³⁺ phosphors at 372 and 400 nm due to 5d→4f transition when excited at 353 nm. Co-doping of Ce³⁺ enhanced the luminescence of Dy³⁺ significantly and concentration quenching occurs when Dy³⁺ is beyond 0.04 mol%. White-light with different hues can be realized by tuning Dy³⁺ concentration in the phosphors.     

Processes of the excitation energy migration and transfer in Ce-doped alkali gadolinium phosphates studied with time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy technique

Spectral-kinetic characteristics of Gd³⁺ and Ce³⁺ luminescence from a series of Ce³⁺-doped alkali gadolinium phosphates of MGdP₄O₁₂ type (M=Li, Na, Cs) have been studied within 4.2-300 K temperature range using time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy techniques. The processes of energy migration along the Gd³⁺ sub-lattice and energy transfer between the Gd³⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions have been investigated. Peculiarities of these processes have been compared for MGdP₄O₁₂ phosphate hosts with different alkali metal ions. A contribution of different levels from the ⁶P_j multiplet of the lowest Gd³⁺ excited state into the energy migration and transfer processes has been clarified. The phonon-assisted occupation of high-energy ⁶P_{5/2, 3/2} levels by Gd³⁺ in the excited ⁶P_j state has been revealed as a shift of Gd³⁺⁶P_j→⁸S_7/2 emission into the short-wavelength spectral range upon the temperature increase. The relaxation of excited Gd³⁺ via phonon-assisted population of Gd³⁺⁶P_5/2 level (next higher one to the lowest excited ⁶P_7/2) is supposed to be responsible for the rise in probability of energy migration within the Gd³⁺ sub-lattice initiating the Gd³⁺→Ce³⁺ energy transfer at T<150 K, whereas further intensification of Gd³⁺→Ce³⁺ energy transfer at T>150 K is explained by the increase in probability of Gd³⁺ relaxation into the highest ⁶P_3/2 level of the ⁶P_j multiplet. An efficient reversed Ce³⁺→Gd³⁺ energy transfer has been revealed for the studied phosphates at 4.2 K.     

Heat-treatment-induced luminescence degradation in Tb-doped CePO4 nanorods

CePO₄:Tb nanorods were synthesized via a simple wet-chemical route. The as-synthesized CePO₄:Tb nanorods present high photoluminescence efficiency due to an efficient energy transfer form Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺. However, heat treatment at 150 °C in air leads to a significant decrease of photoluminescence. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and excitation spectra revealed the oxidation of Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺ in the heat-treatment process, which should be responsible for significant photoluminescence degradation due to the breakage of Ce³⁺→Tb³⁺ energy transfer. This conclusion is further supported by atmosphere and size effects of photoluminescence of CePO₄:Tb under the heat treatment.     

Synthesis,characterization and photoluminescence of Eu3+, Ce3+ co-doped CaLaAl3O7 phosphors

Powder phosphors of CaLa_{1? x} Eu _x Al₃O₇, CaLa_{1? x} Ce _x Al₃O₇ and CaLa_{0.99? x} Eu _x Ce_0.01Al₃O₇, where x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07, were prepared by a combustion method. The powders were well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and photoluminescence techniques. Emission spectra of Eu³⁺-doped powder phosphors showed strong red emission at 613 nm (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂); no concentration quenching was observed. Generally, Ce³⁺ acts as an efficient sensitizer when doped with other trivalent lanthanide ions. However, interestingly, in the CaLaAl₃O₇ powder phosphors, the addition of Ce³⁺ with Eu³⁺ exhibited an adverse effect–decreased photoluminescence intensity. The reasons for this behavior are discussed.     

The influence of the number of pulses on the morphological and photoluminescence properties of SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

The current work reports on the influence of the number of laser pulses on the morphological and photoluminescence properties of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ thin films prepared by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the surface topography and morphology of the films. The AFM data showed that the film deposited using a higher number of laser pulses was packed with a uniform layer of coarse grains. In addition, the surface of this film was shown to be relatively rougher than the films deposited at a lower number of pulses. Photoluminescence (PL) data were collected using the Cary Eclipse fluorescence spectrophotometer equipped with a monochromatic xenon lamp. An intense green photoluminescence was observed at 517 nm from the films prepared using a higher number of laser pulses. Consistent with the PL data, the decay time of the film deposited using a higher number of pulses was characteristically longer than those of the other films. The effects of laser pulses on morphology, topography and photoluminescence intensity of the SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ thin films are discussed.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Sm-doped CaWO4 nanoparticles

The Sm³⁺-doped CaWO₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Sm³⁺-doped CaWO₄ nanoparticles doped with different Sm³⁺ concentrations under 405 nm excitation have been investigated. The PL spectra showed four strong emission peaks at 460, 571, 609, and 653 nm. The first emission peak at 460 nm could be due to a structural defect of the lattice, an oxygen-deficient WO₃ complex. The other three emissions at 571, 609, and 653 nm were due to the f-f forbidden transitions of the 4f electrons of Sm³⁺, corresponding to ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_5/2 (571 nm), ⁶H_7/2 (609 nm), and ⁶H_9/2 (653 nm), respectively. In addition, the optimum Sm³⁺ concentration in CaWO₄ nanoparticles for optical emission was determined to be 1.0%. The Sm³⁺⁴G_5/2→⁶H_7/2 (609 nm) emission intensity of Sm³⁺-doped CaWO₄ nanoparticles significantly increased with the increase of Sm³⁺ concentration, and showed a maximum when Sm³⁺ doping content was 1.0%. If Sm³⁺ concentration continued to increase, namely more than 1.0%, the Sm³⁺⁴G_5/2→⁶H_7/2 emission intensity would decrease. The present materials might be a promising phosphor for white-light LED applications.     

Luminescence properties of Ceand Tb ions codoped strontium borate phosphate phosphors

The Ce³⁺-activated, Tb³⁺-activated, and Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-activated phosphors 2SrO-nB₂O₃-(1−n)P₂O₅ were synthesized by the solid-state reaction. The structures, photoluminescent spectra and dynamics of them were systemically studied. The results demonstrate that the structure of the samples with n=0.10-0.50 belongs to the hexagonal phase. When n is beyond this range, the structures are the mixed phases of α-Sr₂P₂O₇ and Sr₂B₂O₅. The optimum composition is determined to be n=0.25 for the 2SrO-nB₂O₃-(1−n)P₂O₅ phosphors. As n varies from 0.01 to 0.50, the lifetime of Ce³⁺ ion increases gradually, while the lifetime of Tb³⁺ ion decreases, indicating that the energy transfer efficiency decreases with the increase of n. The ET efficiency between Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in the optimum composition reaches to 70%. The present results demonstrate that the Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-activated hexagonal 2SrO-0.25B₂O₃-0.75P₂O₅ powders can possibly be applied as the newly developed green efficient phosphors in the field of lighting and display.     

Enhanced photoluminescence of Sm/Bi co-doped Gd2O3 phosphors by combustion synthesis

Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺ and Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺,Bi³⁺ powders were prepared by a combustion method. Their structures were determined using X-ray diffraction. UV-visible absorption and photoluminescence spectra were investigated for Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺ and Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺,Bi³⁺ at different annealing temperatures and different doping concentrations. The emission spectra of all samples presented the characteristic emission narrow lines arising from the ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_J transitions (J=5/2, 7/2, and 9/2) of Sm³⁺ ions upon excitation with UV irradiation. The emission intensity of Sm³⁺ ions was largely enhanced with introducing Bi³⁺ ions into Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺ and the maximum occurred at a Bi³⁺ concentration of 0.5 mol%. The relevant mechanisms were discussed with the sensitization theory by Dexter and the aggregation behavior of Bi³⁺ ions.     

Improved photoluminescence and afterglow in CaTiO3:Pr with addition of nanosized SiO2

Enhancement of the ¹D₂-³H₄ red emission in CaTiO₃:Pr³⁺ with addition of nanosized SiO₂ fabricated by a solid state reaction method is reported. The dynamical processes for the improvement of red emission were systematically investigated using photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation spectra, and diffused reflectance spectra as well as time decay patterns of PL and persistent afterglow. Higher efficiency of energy transfer from CaTiO₃ host to the activator Pr³⁺ due to the improvement of crystallinity by SiO₂ addition was discussed in comparison with that of the SiO₂ free sample. The enhancement of persistent afterglow after the cessation of excitation in SiO₂ added CaTiO₃:Pr³⁺ was also analyzed by theoretically fitted results.     

Luminescent characteristics of LiCaBo3:M (M=Eu, Sm, Tb, Ce, Dy) phosphor for white LED

LiCaBO₃:M (M=Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺, Tb³⁺, Ce³⁺, Dy³⁺) phosphors were synthesized by a normal solid-state reaction using CaCO₃, H₃BO₃, Li₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, Eu₂O₃, Sm₂O₃, Tb₄O₇, CeO₂ and Dy₂O₃ as starting materials. The emission and excitation spectra were measured by a SHIMADZU RF-540 UV spectrophotometer. And the results show that these phosphors can be excited effectively by near-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UVLED), and emit red, green and blue light. Consequently, these phosphors are promising phosphors for white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Under the condition of doping charge compensation Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺, the luminescence intensities of these phosphors were increased.     

Ionoluminescence studies of combustion synthesized Dy doped nano crystalline forsterite

Ionoluminescence (IL) of nano crystalline Mg₂SiO₄:Dy³⁺ pellet samples bombarded with 100 MeV Si⁺⁸ ions with fluences in the range (1.124–22.480) × 10¹² ions cm⁻² have been studied. Two prominent IL bands with peaks at ∼480 nm and ∼580 nm and a weak band with peak at ∼670 nm are recorded. The characteristic peaks are attributed to luminescence center activated by Dy³⁺ ions due to the transitions ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2,⁶H_13/2 and ⁶H_11/2. It is found that IL intensity initially decreases rapidly and then continuous to decrease slowly with further increase in ion fluence. The reduction in the Ionoluminescence intensity with increase of ion fluence might be attributed to degradation of Si–O ( 2ν₃) bonds present on the surface of the sample and/or due to lattice disorder produced by dense electronic excitation under heavy ion irradiation.     

The electronic structure and photoluminescence properties of Ca2GeO4:Eu in ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet region

Ca₂GeO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors were synthesized by the solid state method. The ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet excited photoluminescence properties were investigated in detail. It revealed that the emission of Ca₂GeO₄:Eu³⁺ comprised two parts: the red emission of Eu³⁺ and host defect emission in 330-550 nm. Ca₂GeO₄:Eu³⁺ presented intense excitation intensity at 163-200 and 466 nm, which suggested the potential applications in plasma display panels and light emitting diodes. The excitation spectra were studied to identify the photoluminescence mechanisms of Ca₂GeO₄:Eu³⁺. First principles calculation within the local density approximation of the density functional theory was applied to calculate the electronic structure and linear optical properties of Ca₂GeO₄.     

Mg2+掺杂Zn2SiO4:Mn2+的溶胶-凝胶法合成及真空紫外发光特性研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法（sol-gel method）于不同气氛条件下成功合成了Zn_1.92-xMg_xSiO₄:0.08Mn²⁺（0≤x≤0.12）系列粉末样品.利用X射线衍射(XRD)、光致发光(PL)谱等分析手段对Zn_1.92-xMg_xSiO₄:0.08Mn²⁺系列     

Study on morphology and photoluminescence of Au/SiO2 nanocomposite films

Au/SiO₂ nanocomposite films were fabricated on Si (111) substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique and annealing at different temperature for 20 min (mode A) and at 1000 °C for different annealing time (mode B). The nanocomposite films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL). SEM results demonstrate that the size of Au crystallites in mode A first increases and then decreases, on increasing annealing temperature, according to the results of XRD spectra. Analysis of PL spectra in mode B shows that the intensity of the emission peak at 440 nm and 523 nm early increases and late decreases, with increasing annealing time at 1000 °C. The origin of the emission peak at around 440 nm was related to the size and quantity of Au particles and one of the emission peak at around 523 nm was related to the nanostructure of films in agreement with SEM imagines. Experimental results indicated that morphology, microstructure and luminescence of Au/SiO₂ nanocomposite films showed close affinity with annealing temperature and annealing time.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ce doped silica (SiO2) nanoparticles

A series of silica doped with different mol percentages of Ce³⁺ concentration was synthesized using a sol-gel method to determine the dependence of photoluminescence wavelengths and intensity on the concentrations of the dopants. Sol-gel glasses are porous networks that have been densified through chemical processing and heat treatment. Rare-earths (REs) are insoluble in silica; due to this insolubility RE ions in silicate glasses enter as network modifiers and compete for non-bridging oxygen in order to complete their coordination. The morphological, structural, thermal and optical properties of the phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis absorption, photoluminescence, thermogravimetric analyses and differential scanning calorimeter. Silica (SiO₂) gel containing Ce³⁺ ions was sputter coated with Au (gold) in order to monitor surface morphology of the samples. The highest emission intensity was found for the sample with a composition of 0.5 mol% Ce³⁺. Cerium doped silica glasses had broad blue emission corresponding to the ²D_3/2-²F_J transition at 448 nm but exhibited apparent concentration quenching above concentrations of 0.5 mol% Ce³⁺.     

Large enhancement of photoluminescence in SrTiO3:Pr powders by fluorhydric acid treatment

We have investigated the effect of fluorhydric acid (HF) treatment on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of SrTiO₃:Pr³⁺ powders prepared by sol-gel method. The red emission intensity increased significantly up to 18 times when the powders were subjected into a water-diluted 5% HF solution for 10 min. The origin of the PL enhancement was ascribed to the increase of oxygen vacancies in HF-treated SrTiO₃:Pr³⁺ powders. This study also manifested that HF etching is more effective to improve the red PL intensity than vacuum-annealing for the sol-gel made SrTiO₃:Pr³⁺ powders.     

Temperature-dependent photoluminescence properties of (Y, Lu)3Al5O12:Ce phosphors for white LEDs applications

The effects of the excitation wavelength, Ce³⁺ concentration and chemical substitution on the thermal quenching of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (YAG:Ce³⁺) phosphors were investigated over a temperature range from 30 to 250 °C. The quenching behavior exhibits a complex dependence on the excitation wavelength and Ce³⁺ concentration, which can be attributed to temperature-dependent absorption strength of the different f-d absorption bands and thermally activated concentration quenching with or without energy migrations between Ce³⁺ ions, respectively. With increasing Lu³⁺content the luminescence of (Y, Lu)₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ phosphors shows a pronounced blueshift, and simultaneously the temperature quenching is obviously improved due to a decrease in Stokes shift.     

The effects of added foreign ions in Gd2O2S : Tb; crystal field calculations, lifetimes, photo-luminescence and absorption spectra

A spectroscopic study is carried out in which the effects of added Ca²⁺ and Ru⁴⁺ transition metal ions on some characteristics of the emission of Gd₂O₂S : Tb³⁺ phosphors (energy levels, intensities, lifetimes) are examined and compared. In order to distinguish the Tb³⁺ emissions from impurity ones, the electronic energy levels of trivalent terbium are determined and the energy level scheme is completed by a crystal field analysis. The optical spectra reveal no terbium doped impurity phase; however, other rare earth ions present as impurities in the starting materials are detected. They are identified, and the influence of the added Ca²⁺ and Ru⁴⁺ on their emission lines is also examined.