Effect of Sr2+ doping on the luminescence properties of YVO4:Eu3+,Sr2+ particles prepared by a solvothermal method

Well-dispersed Eu³⁺ and Sr²⁺ co-doped YVO₄ luminescent particles (YVO₄:Eu³⁺,Sr²⁺) on the submicron scale were prepared by a facile solvothermal method at low temperature. The effect of Sr²⁺ doping on the luminescence of YVO₄:Eu³⁺,Sr²⁺ particles was investigated by fixing the Eu³⁺ doping concentration at 7 mol%. It was found that the luminescence intensity of the as-prepared YVO₄:Eu³⁺,Sr²⁺ particles increased with the Sr²⁺ doping concentration x to reach a two-fold enhancement when x = 5 %, and then decreased for higher x. We also investigated the effect of thermal annealing on the luminescence properties of the YVO₄:Eu³⁺ and YVO₄:Eu³⁺,Sr²⁺ particles. A remarkable enhancement in their luminescence properties was observed after annealing at 900 °C in air for 30 min. It was showed that the annealed YVO₄:Eu³⁺,Sr²⁺ particles exhibited a two-fold stronger emission than the annealed YVO₄:Eu³⁺. This work indicates that Sr²⁺ doping is beneficial to the luminescence enhancement for both the as-prepared and annealed YVO₄:Eu³⁺,Sr²⁺ particles.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu(III)-doped silica nanorods based on the sol–gel process

Uniform Eu³⁺-doped SiO₂ nanorods were synthesized through a simple sol–gel method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant template and tetraethylorthosilicate as silicon source. X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectra were employed to characterize the products in detail. The nanorods have good uniformity and their diameters and lengths are in the range of 200–300 and 500–700 nm through the SEM images, respectively. The formation of the nanorods was studied by taking SEM images after different aging time. The experimental results indicate that CTAB plays a crucial role in the formation of the silica nanorods. The luminescence of Eu³⁺-doped SiO₂ nanorods is dominated by red-emission around 612 nm due to intra-atomic 4f → 4f (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂₎ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. Furthermore, the effect of doping concentrations of Eu³⁺ ions on the luminescence was investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> doped Lu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanophosphor using a solution-combustion method

Fine Eu³⁺-doped lutetium oxide (Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺) nanophosphor were synthesized using a low-temperature solution-combustion method in a methyl-alcohol solution. The characteristics of the nanophosphors synthesized at various sintering temperatures with different Eu³⁺ concentrations were analyzed to determine the optimum synthesis conditions. Thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis showed that Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ crystallizes completely when the dry powder is sintered at 500 °C. The Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ crystals had a cubic structure and monoclinic phase. The peak position of the luminescence spectrum did not differ with the concentration of Eu or the sintering temperature or atmosphere, whereas the luminescence intensity was strongly dependent on the concentration and sintering conditions.     

Long-lived emission from Eu3+:PbF2 nanocrystals distributed into sol–gel silica glass

This paper reports an optical investigation of Eu³⁺:PbF₂ nanocrystals distributed into silica glasses fabricated by sol–gel methods. The sample microstructure was investigated using scanning transmission electron microscopy. The β-cubic PbF₂ crystalline phase was identified using X-ray diffraction analysis. The observed emission bands correspond to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J (J = 0–4) transitions of Eu³⁺. The spectroscopic parameters for Eu³⁺ ions were determined based on excitation and emission measurements as well as luminescence decay analysis. Emission originating from ⁵D₀ state of Eu³⁺ ions in sample containing PbF₂ nanocrystals is long-lived in comparison to precursor sol–gel silica glasses.     

Tunable luminescence and energy transfer process between Tb3+ and Eu3+ in GYAG:Bi3+, Tb3+, Eu3+ phosphors

A series of Eu³⁺ ions co-doped (Gd_0.9Y_0.1)₃Al₅O₁₂:Bi³⁺, Tb³⁺ (GYAG) phosphors have been synthesized by means of solvothermal reaction method. The XRD pattern of GYAG phosphor sintered at 1500 °C confirms their garnet phase. The luminescence properties of these phosphors have been explored by analyzing their excitation and emission spectra along with their decay curves. The excitation spectra of the GYAG:Bi³⁺, Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors consists of broad bands in the shorter wavelength region due to 4f⁸ → 4f⁷5d¹ transition of Tb³⁺ ions overlapped with 6s² → 6s¹6p¹ (¹S₀ → ³P₁) transition of Bi³⁺ ions and the charge transfer band of Eu³⁺–O^2?. The present phosphors exhibit green and red colors due to ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ ions and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ transition of Eu³⁺ ions, respectively. The emission was shifted from green to red color by co-doping with Eu³⁺ ions, which indicate that the energy transfer probability from Tb³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ions are dependent strongly on the concentration of Eu³⁺ ions.     

Optical properties of yellow-light-emitting LiZnVO4:Eu3+ phosphor prepared by sol–gel method

Europium-doped nanocrystals of lithium zinc vanadium oxide (LiZnVO₄) prepared via the sol–gel method are characterized. The X-ray power diffraction results reveal that a pure phase is obtained at 500 °C. The photoluminescence spectra of LiZnVO₄:xEu (x = 7 mol%) exhibit emission peaks at 526, 597 and 620 nm. The emission shifts from bluish-green to yellow when the doping concentration is increased from 0 to 7 mol%, due to the emission peak at 620 nm from the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition, which originated from charge transfer transitions from VO₄ ^3? to Eu³⁺ ions.     

Mechanistic Insight into Energy-Transfer Dynamics and Color Tunability of Na4CaSi3O9:Tb3+,Eu3+ for Warm White LEDs

In this work, a latent energy-transfer process in traditional Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺-doped phosphors is proposed and a new class of Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺-doped Na₄CaSi₃O₉ (NCSO) phosphors is presented which is enabled by luminescence decay dynamics that optimize the electron-transfer energy process. Relative to other Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺-doped phosphors, the as-synthesized Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺-doped NCSO phosphors show improved large-scale tunable emission color from green to red upon UV excitation, controlled by the Tb³⁺/Eu³⁺ doping ratio. Detailed spectroscopic measurements in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)/UV/Vis region were used to determine the Eu³⁺–O²⁻ charge-transfer energy, 4f–5d transition energies, and the energies of 4f excited multiplets of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ with different 4f^N electronic configurations. The Tb³⁺→Eu³⁺ energy-transfer pathway in the co-doped sample was systematically investigated, by employing luminescence decay dynamics analysis to elucidate the relevant energy-transfer mechanism in combination with the appropriate model simulation. To demonstrate their application potential, a prototype white-light-emitting diode (WLED) device was successfully fabricated by using the yellow luminescence NCSO:0.03Tb³⁺, 0.05Eu³⁺ phosphor with high thermal stability and a BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor in combination with a near-UV chip. These findings open up a new avenue to realize and develop multifunctional high-performance phosphors by manipulating the energy-transfer process for practical applications.     

Structure-dependent luminescence properties of Eu3+-doped CsBPO4 (B = Mg,Zn)

Eu³⁺-doped monophosphate CsBPO₄ (B = Mg, Zn) was synthesized by conventional solid state reaction. The crystal phase formations and morphology of the phosphates were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements, respectively. The luminescence properties, including the photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, decay curve (lifetime), the color coordinates and the internal quantum efficiency were investigated. Two Eu³⁺-doped monophosphates display very distinct luminescence properties. CsMgPO₄:Eu³⁺ presents the dominant reddish-orange emission from magnetic dipole transition ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ and a long luminescence lifetime. In contrast, CsZnPO₄:Eu³⁺ has a pure red color with the dominant induced electric-dipole transition ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ and a fast decay. Different results on the luminescence features of CsBPO₄ (B = Mg, Zn):Eu³⁺ were discussed on the base of crystal structure. Eu³⁺ has structure-dependent transitions due to the special microstructure occupied in a given host.     

Chemical processing for inorganic fluoride and oxyfluoride materials having optical functions

Chemical processing such as a sol–gel method can offer interesting and useful routes for designing and synthesizing inorganic metal fluoride and oxyfluoride materials for applications in optics and photonics. In our series of studies during the last decade, a variety of fluoride materials including alkaline earth fluorides (MgF₂, CaF₂, SrF₂ and BaF₂), rare-earth fluorides (LaF₃, NdF₃, GdF₃, etc.), rare-earth oxyfluorides (LaOF, EuOF, GdOF, Sm₄O₃F₆, Er₄O₃F₆, etc.) and complex fluorides (SrAlF₅, BaMgF₄, BaLiF₃, LiGdF₄, etc.) have been prepared, using trifluoroacetic acid as a fluorine source, in the form of nanoparticles, thin films and oxide/fluoride nanocomposites. They can be utilized as anti-reflective coatings, luminescent materials, VUV materials, IR materials, and so forth. This article summarizes fundamentals and possible applications of optically useful inorganic fluoride and oxyfluoride materials, with emphasis on porous single-layer anti-reflective coatings and visible photoluminescence of doped Eu³⁺ or Eu²⁺ ions. Furthermore, our recent results on LaF₃:Ce³⁺ and LaOF:Ce³⁺ are originally reported here.     

Luminescence behavior of Eu3+ in polytitanasiloxane solution

Polytitanasiloxane solutions containing Eu³⁺ ions have been prepared by the hydrolytic cocondensation of tetraethoxysilane and tetrabutyl titanate. The UV‐vis absorption and the luminescence intensity were both found to increase with the increase of tetrabutyl titanate/tetraethoxysilane (TBT/TEOS) molar ratio. This revealed that the incorporation of TiO₂ can result in the increase of absorption energy of the Ti? O group by near‐UV excitation and in the increase of energy transfer to the metal ion. At the same time, the intensity ratio of ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ to ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ increases as the TBT/TEOS molar ratio increases, indicating the formation of Eu³⁺? O^2?? Ti⁴⁺ bonding. A longer decay time means that the Eu³⁺ ions are better dispersed and less clustered with the increase of TBT/TEOS molar ratio. The results on the luminescence properties of the Eu³⁺ in different media containing ethanol or water suggest that the incorporation of TiO₂ can shield Eu³⁺ ions from the effect of water and ethanol molecules, which leads to an improvement of the Eu³⁺ surroundings. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1357–1363, 2006     

Kinetics and thermoluminescence glow curve study of Ba2MgSi2O7:Eu3+, Dy3+

This paper reports thermoluminescence glow curves of Eu³⁺, Dy³⁺-doped Ba₂MgSi₂O₇ phosphor for different UV exposure times. Kinetic data were evaluated by the peak-shape method. The glow curves shift toward higher intensity with increasing exposure time to UV at 365 nm. When the heating rate was 5 °C s^?1, peaks were observed at 101.76, 109.69, 102.67, and 104.05 °C, respectively, after UV exposure for 5, 10, 15, and 20 min. The glow peaks are indicative of second-order kinetics. Different kinetic data, i.e. trap depth, order of kinetics, activation energy, and frequency factor were also calculated. To evaluate the persistence characteristics of the luminescence of the phosphor, the lifetime of the charge in the trap was calculated; it was 348, 660, 368, and 428 s for UV exposure of 5, 10, 15, and 20 min, which indicates the luminescence of the phosphor is persistent.     

Red phosphors in MgAl2Si2O8 doping with Mn4+, Gd3+ and Lu3+ and host-sensitized luminescence properties

Mn⁴⁺ doped and Gd³⁺, Lu³⁺ co-doped MgAl₂Si₂O₈-based phosphors were first of all synthesized by solid state reaction at about 1300.0 °C. They were characterized by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, photoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy. The luminescence mechanism of the phosphors which showed broad red emission bands in the range of 610–715 nm and had a different maximum intensity when activated by UV illumination was discussed. Such a red emission can be attributed to the intrinsic ²E → ⁴A₂ transitions of Mn⁴⁺.     

Mn4+-, Tb3+,4+-, and Er3+-activated red phosphors in the MgAl2Si2O8 system

Mn⁴⁺ doped and Tb^3+,4+, Er³⁺ co-doped MgAl₂Si₂O₈-based phosphors were prepared by conventional solid-state synthesis at 1,300 °C. They were characterized by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, photoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy. The luminescence mechanism of the phosphors, which showed broad red emission bands in the range of 600–715 nm and had different maximum intensities when activated by UV illumination, was discussed. Such a red emission can be attributed to the intrinsic ²E → ⁴A₂ transitions of Mn⁴⁺.     

K3Eu5(PO4)6: hydrothermal synthesis,crystal structure and photoluminescence properties

An anhydrous orthophosphate, K₃Eu₅(PO₄)₆ (tripotassium pentaeuropium hexaphosphate), has been prepared by a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction combined with hydrothermal synthesis, and its crystal structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis (SC‐XRD). The results show that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c and the structure features a three‐dimensional framework of [Eu₅(PO₄)₆]_∞, with the tunnel filled by K⁺ ions. The IR spectrum, UV–Vis spectrum and luminescence properties of polycrystalline samples of K₃Eu₅(PO₄)₆, annealed at temperatures of 650, 700, 750, 800 and 850 °C, were investigated. Although with a full Eu³⁺ concentration (9.96 × 10²¹ ions cm^?3), the self‐activated phosphor K₃Eu₅(PO₄)₆ shows s strong luminescence emission intensity with a quantum yield of 37%. Under near‐UV light excitation (393 nm), the series of samples shows the characteristic emissions of Eu³⁺ ions in the visible region from 575 to 715 nm. The sample sintered at 800 °C gives the strongest emission and its lifetime sintered at 800 °C (1.88 ms) is also the longest of all.     

Experimental study of Fe–C–O based system below 1000 °C

The paper deals with the study of phase transformation temperatures of Fe (Fe–C–O) based metallic alloys. Six model alloys with graded carbon and oxygen content were used for experimental investigation. Low-temperature region (<1000 °C) was the investigated area. Phase transformation temperatures were obtained using Differential thermal analysis and Setaram Setsys 18_TM laboratory system. Controlled heating was conducted at the rates of 2, 4, 7, 10, 15, 20 °C min^?1. Region of eutectoid transformation (Fe_α(C) + Fe₃C → Fe_γ(C)), alpha–gamma (Fe_α(C) → Fe_γ(C)) and transformation Fe_α(O) + Fe_0.92O → Fe_γ(O) + Fe_0.92O was studied. New original data (phase transformation temperatures) were obtained in this study. The relationship between shift of phase transformation temperatures and chemical composition (mainly carbon and oxygen content) is investigated in this paper. To achieve good approximation to the equilibrium conditions, the extrapolation of the obtained phase transformation temperatures to the zero heating rate was performed. The influence of experimental conditions (heating rate) on temperatures of phase transformations was studied as well. Comparison of the obtained experimental data with the data presented in the accessible literature and IDS calculations (Solidification Analysis Package) was carried out. It follows from literature search that there is a lack of thermo-physical and thermo-dynamical data on Fe–C–O system.     

A Red‐Emitting Luminescent Material Capable of Detecting Low Water Content in Organic Solvents

A new red‐emitting luminescent material was prepared from a gel formed by simply mixing EuCl₃ ? 6 H₂O and 4′‐para‐phenylcarboxyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (Hcptpy) in a molar ratio of 1:2 in anhydrous ethanol at room temperature. It shows bright red luminescence dominated by the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺, a long lifetime (1.16 ms), a high absolute quantum yield (48.2 %), and good thermostability (stable up to 500 °C). In addition, the luminescence of the material can be easily quenched by contact with water, which makes it suitable for detecting low contents of water (0.1–1.5 vol %) in common organic solvents such as diethyl ether and THF.     

Effects of Pb2+ ions concentration on the structure and PL intensity of Pb-doped ZnAl2O4 nanocrystals synthesized using sol–gel process

Undoped and Pb²⁺-doped ultrafine cubic zinc aluminate (ZnAl₂O₄) hosts were successfully prepared at a relatively low temperature (~80 °C) using the sol–gel method. The concentration of Pb²⁺ was varied from 0 to 5 mol%. The TGA showed that the minimum annealing temperature required to obtain single phase ZnAl₂O₄ must be above 400 °C. The XRD data revealed that all the annealed samples were single phase crystalline structures and the estimated crystallites size were in the range of 21–30 nm in diameter. The FTIR results suggest that heat-treating can destroy some of the bonds. The surface morphology of the phosphors was influenced by the Pb²⁺ mol%. Undoped and Pb²⁺-doped ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles exhibit the violet emission at slightly different positions. The slight peak shifts suggests the possibilities that the luminescence centre can either be due to the defects level in the host or Pb²⁺ ions. The emission peaks at 390 and 399 nm are ascribed to the typical UV transitions ³P_0,1 → ¹S₀ in Pb²⁺ ion. At the higher Pb²⁺ mol%, the luminescence quenching behaviour occurs, which suggests that doping with Pb²⁺ ions is accompanied by the introduction of new defect sites that enhance non-radiative recombination of the excited electrons.     

Effect of solvent on the stability constant of complex formation and the thermodynamic parameters between dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 with Eu3+, La3+, Er3+ and Y3+ cations

The complexation reaction between Eu³⁺, La³⁺, Er³⁺ and Y³⁺ cations with the dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) in acetonitrile (AN)–dimethylformamide (DMF) and AN–methanol (MeOH) binary systems have been studied at different temperatures using conductometric method. The conductometric data show that the stoichiometry of the complexes is 1:1 [ML]. The results show that the stability constant of complexes in various solvents is: AN > MeOH > DMF. In the some cases, the minimum of logK_f for (DCH18C6–Eu³⁺), (DCH18C6–La³⁺), (DCH18C6–Er³⁺) and (DCH18C6–Y³⁺) complexes in AN–MeOH binary systems obtain at χ_MeOH ~ 0.75, and also, the logK_f of (DCH18C6–Er³⁺) complex in AN–DMF binary systems show a minimum at χ_AN ~ 0.75. Non-linear behavior was observed for the stability constant of complexes versus the composition of the solvent systems. The experimental data show that the selectivity order of DCH18C6 for these cations in AN–MeOH binary systems (mol% AN = 50, 75) at 25 °C is: Y³⁺ > Er³⁺ > Eu³⁺ > La³⁺. The values of thermodynamic parameters (?H?_C) for formation of complexes were obtained from temperature dependence of stability constants of complexes using the van′t Hoff plots and the standard entropy (?S?_C) were calculated from the relationship: ?G?_C, 298.15 = ?H?_C ?298.15?S?_C. The results show that the values of these thermodynamic parameters are influenced by the nature and the composition of the binary systems.     

Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>,Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> thin films prepared by sol–gel method: structural and optical studies

Y₂O₃: Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ transparent, high density and optical quality thin films were prepared by the sol–gel dip-coating technique. Yttrium (III) 2,4-pentadionate was used as a precursor by its hydrolysis in ethanol. The doping agents were incorporated in the form of europium and terbium nitrate. Structural, morphological and optical properties of prepared films were investigated for different annealing temperatures in order to establish the ideal processing route that enhances the luminescent properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows the cubic phase for 10-layer films and annealing temperatures higher than 500°C. At 700°C, highly densified (4.52 g cm⁻³) and very smooth films (1.4 nm at 700°C) are produced, composed of crystallites with a grain size of 11 nm. The film thickness, refractive index and porosity, as well as the luminescent properties, were found to vary with treatment temperature.     

Upconversion Luminescence Properties of a LiNb0.3Ta0.7O3:Er3+,Yb3+ Ceramic

A co-doped LiNb_0.3Ta_0.7O₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ ceramic was prepared by a high temperature solid state procedure. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser radiation, intense 660 nm red light and 550 nm green light emissions corresponding to the ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ were observed. The change of Yb³⁺ concentration has a more significant influence on luminous intensity than the Er³⁺ concentration. The emission of red and green lights is attributed to a two-photon process. The upconversion luminescence mechanisms were analyzed in detail.