Synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu, Ce and Tb-activated Sr3La2(BO3)4 under UV excitation

The spectroscopic properties in UV-excitable range for the phosphors of Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:RE³⁺ (RE³⁺=Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺) were investigated. The phosphors were synthesized by conventional solid-state reactions. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra and commission international de I'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:RE³⁺ were investigated. The f-d transitions of Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in the host lattices are assumed and corroborated. The PL and PL excitation (PLE) spectra indicate that the main emission wavelength of Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:Eu³⁺ is 611 nm, and Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:Ce³⁺ shows dominating emission peak at 425 nm, while Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:Tb³⁺ displays green emission at 487, 542, 582 and 620 nm. These phosphors were prepared by simple solid-state reaction at 1000 °C. There are lower reactive temperature and more convenient than commercial phosphors. The Sr₃La₂(BO₃)₄:Tb³⁺ applied to cold cathode fluorescent lamp was found to emit green light and have a major peak wavelength at around 542 nm. These phosphors may provide a new kind of luminescent materials under ultraviolet excitation.     

Sol-gel synthesis, structural and optical properties of rare earth ions (Sm or Dy) activated Ca3Ga2Si3O12 powder phosphors

Structural, morphological and optical properties of rare earth ions (RE³⁺=Sm³⁺ or Dy³⁺) activated Ca₃Ga₂Si₃O₁₂ (CaGaSi) phosphors synthesized by the sol-gel method are reported. XRD results confirmed the cubic phase structure of RE³⁺:CaGaSi phosphors. From the SEM images of RE³⁺:CaGaSi phosphors, it is observed that the particles are agglomerated. Photoluminescence spectra of Sm³⁺:CaGaSi phosphors have shown bright orange red emission at 598 nm (⁴G_5/2→⁶H_7/2) with an excitation wavelength of λ_exci=401 nm. In the case of Dy³⁺:CaGaSi phosphors bright yellow emission has been observed at 574 nm (⁴F_9/2→ ⁶H_13/2) with λ_exci=451 nm. From the PL spectral results, the rare earth ion concentration of CaGaSi phosphors is optimized.     

Photoluminescence properties and effects of dopant concentration in Bi2ZnB2O7:Tb phosphor

A novel green phosphor, Tb³⁺ doped Bi₂ZnB₂O₇ was synthesized by conventional solid state reaction method. The phase of synthesized materials was determined using the XRD, DTA/TG and FTIR. The photoluminescence characteristics were investigated using spectrofluorometer at room temperature. Bi₂ZnB₂O₇:Tb³⁺ phosphors excited by 270 nm and 485 nm wavelengths. The emission spectra were composed of three bands, in which the dominated emission of green luminescence Bi₂ZnB₂O₇:Tb³⁺ attributed to the transition ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ is centered at 546 nm. The dependence of the emission intensity on the Tb³⁺ concentration for the Bi_2−xTb_xZnB₂O₇ (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) was studied and observed that the optimum concentration of Tb³⁺ in phosphor was 13 mol% for the highest emission intensity at 546 nm.     

Energy transfer in Y3Al5O12:Ce, Pr and CaMoO4:Sm, Eu phosphors

Non-radiative energy transfers (ET) from Ce³⁺ to Pr³⁺ in Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺ and from Sm³⁺ to Eu³⁺ in CaMoO₄:Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺ are studied based on photoluminescence spectroscopy and fluorescence decay patterns. The result indicates an electric dipole-dipole interaction that governs ET in the LED phosphors. For Ce³⁺ concentration of 0.01 in YAG:Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, the rate constant and critical distance are evaluated to be 4.5×10⁻³⁶ cm⁶ s⁻¹ and 0.81 nm, respectively. An increase in the red emission line of Pr³⁺ relative to the yellow emission band of Ce³⁺, on increasing Ce³⁺ concentration is observed. This behavior is attributed to the increase of spectral overlap integrals between Ce³⁺ emission and Pr³⁺ excitation due to the fact that the yellow band shifts to the red spectral side with increasing Ce³⁺ concentration. In CaMoO₄:Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺-Eu³⁺ transfer occurs from ⁴G_5/2 of Sm³⁺ to ⁵D₀ of Eu³⁺. The rate constant of 8.5×10⁻⁴⁰ cm⁶ s⁻¹ and the critical transfer distance of 0.89 nm are evaluated.     

White up-conversion emission in Ho/Tm/Yb tri-doped glass ceramics embedding BaF2 nanocrystals

Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ tri-doped glass ceramics with white light emitting have been developed and demonstrated. Pumped by 980 nm laser diode (LD), intensive red, green and blue up-conversions (UC) were obtained. The green emission is assigned to Ho³⁺ ion and the blue emission is assigned to Tm³⁺ ion, whereas the red emission is the combination contribution of the Ho³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions. The RGB intensities could be adjusted by tuning the rare-earth ion concentration and pump power intensity. Thus, multicolor of the luminescence, including perfect white light with CIE-X=0.329 and CIE-Y=0.342 in the 1931 CIE chromaticity diagram can be obtained in 0.15 Ho³⁺/0.2Tm³⁺/3Yb³⁺ tri-doped glass ceramics embedding BaF₂ nanocrystals pumped by a single infrared laser diode source of 980 nm at 500 mW. The up-conversion luminescence mechanism of Yb³⁺ sensitize Ho³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions and the energy transfer from Ho³⁺ to Tm³⁺ in oxy-fluoride silicate glass ceramics were analyzed.     

Synthesis and Sm/Sm doping effects on photoluminescence properties of Sr4Al14O25

Complete and partial samarium reduction was achieved under strong reducing atmosphere by solid-state and combustion synthesis of Sr_3.96Sm_0.04Al₁₄O₂₅. Dependence of different fluxing agents on the formation of various strontium aluminates was examined. The samples were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, temperature dependent luminescence decay and photoluminescence measurements. Excitation with UV radiation resulted in sharp and well resolved emission lines of samarium ions. Distinct temperature behavior for Sm²⁺ and Sm³⁺ were detected in the range of 100-500 K. Estimated emission thermal quenching values (TQ_1/2) for divalent samarium were approximately 270 K while for trivalent state around 660 K. Measured luminescence decay values of Sm²⁺ are substantially lower than for Sm³⁺,≈1.7 and ≈2.7 ms, respectively. The spectral feature of Sm²⁺ emission spectrum indicates that dopant occupies low symmetry site in Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅ compound.     

A white light emitting phosphor Sr1.5Ca0.5SiO4:Eu, Tb, Eu for LED-based near-UV chip: Preparation, characterization and luminescent mechanism

In this work, we report preparation, characterization and luminescent mechanism of a phosphor Sr_1.5Ca_0.5SiO₄:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺,Eu²⁺ (SCS:ETE) for white-light emitting diode (W-LED)-based near-UV chip. Co-doped rare earth cations Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Eu²⁺ as aggregated luminescent centers within the orthosilicate host in a controlled manner resulted in the white-light phosphors with tunable emission properties. Under the excitation of near-UV light (394 nm), the emission spectra of these phosphors exhibited three emission bands: one broad band in the blue area, a second band with sharp lines peaked in green (about 548 nm) and the third band in the orange-red region (588-720 nm). These bands originated from Eu²⁺ 5d→4f, Tb³⁺⁵D₄→⁷F_J and Eu³⁺⁵D₀→⁷F_J transitions, respectively, with comparable intensities, which in return resulted in white light emission. With anincrease of Tb³⁺ content, both broad Eu²⁺ emission and sharp Eu³⁺ emission increase. The former may be understood by the reduction mechanism due to the charge transfer process from Eu³⁺ to Tb³⁺, whereas the latter is attributed to the energy transfer process from Eu²⁺ to Tb³⁺. Tunable white-light emission resulted from the system of SCS:ETE as a result of the competition between these two processes when the Tb³⁺ concentration varies. It was found that the nominal composition Sr_1.5Ca_0.5SiO₄:1.0%Eu³⁺, 0.07%Tb³⁺ is the optimal composition for single-phased white-light phosphor. The CIE chromaticity calculation demonstrated its potential as white LED-based near-UV chip.     

Ionic liquid-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of dendrite-like NaY(MoO4)2:Tb phosphor

Micro-sized NaY(MoO₄)₂:Tb³⁺ phosphors with dendritic morphology was synthesized by a ionic liquid-assisted hydrothermal process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the as-prepared product is pure tetragonal phase of NaY(MoO₄)₂. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images showed that the as-prepared NaY(MoO₄)₂:Tb³⁺ phosphors have dendritic morphology. The photoluminescent (PL) spectra displayed that the as-prepared NaY(MoO₄)₂:Tb³⁺ phosphors show a stronger green emission with main emission wavelength 545 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ ion, and the optimal Tb³⁺ doping concentration for obtaining maximum emission intensity was confirmed to be 10 mol%. Based on Van Uitert's and Dexter's models the electric dipole–dipole (D–D) interaction was confirmed to be responsible for the concentration quenching of ⁵D₄ fluorescence of Tb³⁺ in the NaY(MoO₄)₂:Tb³⁺ phosphors. The intrinsic radiative transition lifetime of ⁵D₄ level is found to be 0.703 ms.     

Luminescent properties of (Y,Gd)BO3:Bi,RE (RE=Eu, Tb) phosphor under VUV/UV excitation

Bi³⁺- and RE³⁺-co-doped (Y,Gd)BO₃ phosphors were prepared and their luminescent properties under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)/UV excitation were investigated. Strong red emission for (Y,Gd)BO₃:Bi³⁺,Eu³⁺ and strong green emission for (Y,Gd)BO₃:Bi³⁺,Tb³⁺ are observed under VUV excitation from 147 to 200 nm with a much broader excitation region than that of single Eu³⁺-doped or Tb³⁺-doped (Y,Gd)BO₃ phosphor. Strong emissions are also observed under UV excitation around 265 nm where as nearly no luminescence is observed for single Eu³⁺-doped or Tb³⁺-doped (Y,Gd)BO₃. The luminescence enhancement of Bi³⁺- and RE³⁺-co-doped (Y,Gd)BO₃ phosphors is due to energy transfer from Bi³⁺ ion to Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ ion not only in the VUV region but also in the UV region. Besides, host sensitization competition between Bi³⁺ and Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ is also observed. The investigated phosphors may be preferable for devices with a VUV light 147-200 nm as an excitation source such as PDP or mercury-free fluorescent lamp.     

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.     

Photoluminescence spectra of thenardite Na2SO4 activated with rare-earth ions, Ce, Sm, Tb, Dy and Tm

Five Na₂SO₄:RE³⁺ phosphors activated with rare-earth (RE) ions (RE³⁺=Ce³⁺, Sm³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺ and Tm³⁺) were synthesized by heating natural thenardite Na₂SO₄ from Ai-Ding Salt Lake, Xinjiang, China with small amounts of rare-earth fluorides, CeF₃, SmF₃, TbF₃, DyF₃ and TmF₃, at 920 °C in air. The photoluminescence (PL) and optical excitation spectra of the obtained phosphors were measured at 300 and 10 K. In the PL spectrum of Na₂SO₄:Ce³⁺ at 300 K, two overlapping bands with peaks at 335 and 356 nm due to Ce³⁺ were first observed. Narrow bands observed in PL and excitation spectra of Na₂SO₄:RE³⁺ (RE³⁺=Sm³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺ and Tm³⁺) phosphors were well identified with the electronic transitions within the 4fⁿ (n=5, 8, 9 and 12) configurations of RE³⁺. The existence of excitation bands with high luminescence efficiency at wavelengths shorter than 230 nm is characteristic of Na₂SO₄:RE³⁺ (RE³⁺=Sm³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺ and Tm³⁺) phosphors. The obtained results suggest that these phosphors are unfavorable as the phosphor for usual fluorescence tubes, i.e., mercury discharge tubes, but may be favorable as the phosphor for UV-LED fluorescent tubes and as cathodoluminescence, X-ray luminescence and thermoluminescence phosphors.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Sm-doped LaMgB5O10 and GdMgB5O10

Luminescence and reflection spectra as well as luminescence kinetics of the 1 mol% Sm³⁺-doped crystalline lanthanum magnesium meta borate (LaMgB₅O₁₀) and gadolinium magnesium meta borate (GdMgB₅O₁₀) were analyzed. Materials were synthesized by conventional solid state route and showed bright orange-red emission under UV excitation. Emission spectra contain sharp and well resolved Sm³⁺⁴G_5/2→⁶H_J transitions indicating a strong crystal-field effect. In case of gadolinium compound energy transfer between Gd³⁺ and Sm³⁺ was detected. The luminescent kinetics of the Sm³⁺ in analyzed powders is characterized by single exponential decay and experimental values vary in the range 2.2-2.4 ms.     

Luminescence of Mn ions in Tb3Al5O12 garnet

The paper is dedicated to investigation of the Mn²⁺ luminescence in Tb₃Al₅O₁₂ (TbAG) garnet, as well as the processes of excitation energy transfer between host cations (Tb³⁺ ions) and activators (Mn²⁺ and Mn²⁺-Ce³⁺ pair ions) in single crystalline films of TbAG:Mn and TbAG:Mn,Ce garnets which can be considered as promising luminescent materials for conversion of LED's radiation. Due to the effective energy transfer between TbAG host and activator, Mn²⁺ ions in TbAG possess the bright orange luminescence in the bands peaked at 595 nm with a lifetime of 0.64 ms which are caused by the ⁴T₁→⁶A₁ radiative transitions. The simultaneous process of energy transfer is realized in TbAG:Mn,Ce: (i) from Tb³⁺ to Mn²⁺ ions; (ii) from Tb³⁺ cations to Ce³⁺ ions and then partly to Mn²⁺ ions through Tb³⁺ ion sublattice and Ce-Mn dipole-dipole interaction.     

Preparation and luminescence properties of Tb doped ZrO2 and BaZrO3 phosphors

ZrO₂:Tb³⁺ and BaZrO₃:Tb³⁺ powders are prepared by combustion synthesis method and the samples were further heated to 500, 700 and 1000 °C to improve the crystallinity of the materials. The structure and morphology of materials have been examined by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra and scanning electron microscopy. It is remarkable that all the samples of ZrO₂:Tb³⁺ and BaZrO₃:Tb³⁺ have similar morphology. These images exhibited homogeneous aggregates of varying shapes and sizes, which are composed of a large number of small cuboids and broken cuboids. The cuboids and broken cuboids size of all the samples are less than 0.5 μm. Photoluminescence for both materials increases with increase of temperature and found maximum for the samples heated to 1000 °C with 5 mole% doping of Tb³⁺ ions. Luminescence is almost double for the zirconia compared to that of barium-zirconate.     

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.     

Red, green and blue (RGB) emission doped Y3Al5O12 (YAG) phosphors prepared by non-hydrolytic sol-gel route

An evolutionary optimization process involving combination chemistry was employed in an attempt to develop Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG). The combination chemistry process utilized here consisted the doping of the YAG host with appropriate amounts of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) dopants in a single layer, for use in tricolor white light. The doped YAG was acieved by means of the non-hydrolytic sol-gel route. Four samples were prepared, three of which were mono-doped samples containing 1.0% of a certain lanthanide (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, or Tm³⁺) ion, while the fourth contained the three ions. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and photoluminescence. The diffraction pattern of the mono-doped samples synthered at 800 °C for 16 h displayed peaks corresponding to the Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG) phase, while the sample doped with the three ions revealed the presence of a mixture of Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG) and Y₄Al₂O₉ (YAM) phases. The emission spectra of the three mono-doped YAG samples displayed the typical bands of the blue, green, and red emission of the corresponding lanthanide ions. As for the sample doped with the three lanthanide ions; it simultaneously emitted R, G and B lights. The green emission (546 nm) was more intense and narrow in relation to the red and blue emissions, which may be due to differences in the size of the three incorporated ions.     

VUV sensitisation of Eu emission by Tb in Ba3Tb(PO4)3-Eu

The luminescence properties of Ba₃Tb_0.9Eu_0.1(PO₄)₃ and Ba₃Gd_0.9Eu_0.1(PO₄)₃ phosphors were studied for excitation over the 120-300 nm wavelength range. It is found that Tb³⁺, which exhibits a strong vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) absorption band, provides sensitisation of Eu³⁺ emission in this host. This effect can be used to develop phosphors with enhanced conversion efficiency of the VUV radiation into visible light.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of nanoparticles GdCaAl3O7:RE (RE=Eu, Tb) via the sol-gel method

By using metal nitrates as starting materials and citric acid as complexing agent, GdCaAl₃O₇:Eu³⁺ and GdCaAl₃O₇:Tb³⁺ powder phosphors were prepared by a citrate-gel method. Thermal analysis (TG-DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescence excitation and emission, as well as kinetic decays were employed to characterize the resulting samples. The results of the XRD indicated the precursor samples began to crystallize at 800 °C and the crystallinity increased with elevation the annealing temperature. TEM images showed that the phosphor particles were basically of spherical shape, with good dispersion about a particle size of around 40-70 nm. Upon excitation with UV irradiation, it is shown that there is a strong emission at around 617 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺, and at around 543 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄-⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺. The dependence of photoluminescence intensity on Eu³⁺ (or Tb³⁺) concentration and annealing temperature were also studied in detail.     

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.     

Effect of Eu,Tb codoping on the luminescent properties of Y2O3 nanorods

Red-emitting Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ and green-emitting Y₂O₃:Tb³⁺ and Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ nanorods were synthesized by hydrothermal method. Their structure and micromorphology have been analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photoluminescence (PL) property of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphor was investigated. In the same host (Y₂O₃), upon excitation with ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, it is shown that there are strong emissions at around 610 and 545 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ and ⁵D₄-⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺, respectively. Different qualities of Eu³⁺and Tb³⁺ ions are induced into the Y₂O₃ lattice. From the excitation spectrum, we speculate that there exists energy transfer from Tb³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ions .The emission color of powders reveals regular change in the separation of light emission. These powders can meet with the request of optical display material for different colors or can be potentially used as labels for biological molecules.