Concentration-dependent luminescence of Tb ions in high calcium aluminosilicate glasses

This study deals with the results on the concentration-dependent fluorescence properties of Tb³⁺-doped calcium aluminosilicate (CAS) glasses of composition (100−x)(58SiO₂–23CaO–5Al₂O₃–4MgO–10NaF in mol%)-x Tb₂O₃ (x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 in wt%). The FTIR reflectance spectra suggested the role of dopant ions as network modifiers in the glass network. The fluorescence spectra of low Tb³⁺-doped glasses have revealed prominent blue and green emissions from ⁵D₃ and ⁵D₄ excited levels to ⁷F_j ground state multiplet, respectively. The glass with 2 wt% of Tb₂O₃ has exhibited maximum intensity of blue emission from ⁵D₃ level, while green emission from ⁵D₄ level has increased linearly up to 24 wt% and showed reduction in the rate of increase for higher Tb₂O₃ concentrations. The concentration quenching of blue emission (⁵D₃→⁷F_j) is attributed mainly to the resonant energy transfer (RET) assisted cross-relaxation (CR) among the excited and nearest neighbour unexcited Tb³⁺ ions in the glass matrix. The decline in rate of increase of green emission (⁵D₄→⁷F_j) at higher concentrations has been explained due to a possible occurrence of cooperative energy transfers leading to 4f⁸→4f⁷5d transition interactions. The blue and green emission decay kinetics have been recorded to compute the excited level (⁵D₃ and ⁵D₄) lifetimes, which confirmed the Tb³⁺ concentration quenching of the blue emission in these glasses.     

Photoluminescence and decay behavior of Tb3+ ions in sodium fluoro-borate glasses for display devices

We report the optical absorption, photoluminescence and fluorescence decay properties of Tb³⁺-doped sodium fluoro-borate (SFB) glasses. Different concentrations of Tb³⁺-doped SFB glasses were prepared by conventional melt quenching technique using a chemical composition (in mol%) 25Na₂O–5LaF₃–10CaF₂–10AlF₃–(50?x) B₂O₃?x TbF₃ (0.01≤x≥4). The Judd-Ofelt model has been adopted to determine the radiative parameters of the ⁵D₄→⁷F_6–3 emission transitions. The effect of Tb³⁺ ion concentration on the emission from the ⁵D_3,4 excited levels is discussed in detail. The analysis of optimization of Tb³⁺ ion concentration for efficient green color display devises is reported. The resonance energy transfer mechanism responsible for non-radiative decay rates is clearly explored.     

Luminescence properties of Tb doped and Tm/Tb/Sm co-doped glasses for LED applications

Tb³⁺ ions doped and Tm/Tb/Sm co-doped glasses for light-emitting-diodes (LED) applications have been synthesized by melt quenching method. Their photoluminescence properties were studied by emission and excitation spectra. The ⁵D₃ and ⁵D₄ emission of Tb³⁺ can be varied by adjusting Tb³⁺ concentrations and the compositions of glass matrix. Blue, green and reddish orange emission bands were observed in the emission spectra of Tm/Tb/Sm co-doped glasses. The combination of these emission bands allows the realization of white light when the glasses are excited by near ultraviolet light. In addition, the relative intensity ratios of respective emission lines are dependent on the composition of glasses and the excitation wavelength.     

Green emission from Tb-doped SrSi2O2N2 phosphors under ultraviolet light irradiation

Tb-doped SrSi₂O₂N₂ phosphors with promising luminescent properties were synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction method, characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and studied by photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra. The synthesized materials exhibited a weak blue emission and a strong green emission in the region of 400-470 nm and 480-650 nm, which are attributed to ⁵D₃→⁷F_j (j=5, 4, 3) and ⁵D₄→⁷F_j (j=6, 5, 4, 3) transitions of Tb³⁺, respectively. The green emission from ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ at 543 nm showed the highest intensity under the optimized concentration of 0.1 mol, after which the quenching concentration became relevant. The quenching behavior of the emission of Tb³⁺ was explained by the cross-relaxation of its excited state.     

Luminescence of CaWO4:Pr3+ and CaWO4:Tb3+ at ambient and high hydrostatic pressures

Photoluminescence spectra of CaWO₄ doped with Pr³⁺ and Tb³⁺ obtained at high hydrostatic pressures up to 315 kbar applied in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) are presented. The intensities of the luminescence from the ³P₀ state of Pr³⁺ and from the ⁵D₃ state of Tb³⁺ decreased with increasing pressure. At pressures greater than 50 kbar, the ¹D₂ → ³H_J transitions in Pr³⁺ and the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F_J transitions in Tb³⁺ dominated the spectra. At pressures greater than 100 kbar, only emissions from the lower excited states were observed. At pressures greater than 150 kbar, luminescence from the ¹D₂ and ⁵D₄ states also decreased with increasing pressure, and at a pressure of 315 kbar for CaWO₄:Pr³⁺ and 190 kbar for CaWO₄:Tb³⁺, the emissions related to the Pr³⁺ and Tb³⁺ were quenched. These effects were related to the influence of impurity trapped excitons (ITEs) on the efficiency of the f–f emission in the Pr³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions. Analysis of the emission spectra collected at different pressures allowed the energies of the ground states of the Pr³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions with respect to the band edges of the CaWO₄ host to be estimated.     

Photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence properties of Tb3+ activated Sr3AlO4F emitting-color tunable phosphor

Tb³⁺-activated Sr₃AlO₄F phosphors were synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The investigation of photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence indicates that these phosphors can be effectively excited by ultraviolet light and low-voltage electron beam. The phosphors exhibit a tunable-green emission. The luminescence behaviors are explained by the site occupancy of Tb³⁺ ions in the host crystal and the cross-relaxation of ⁵D₃ to ⁵D₄ state.     

Ultraviolet and visible upconversion emission in Tb3+/Yb3+ co-doped fluorophosphate glasses

Ultraviolet and visible upconversion emissions in Tb³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped YF₃–BaF₂–Ba(PO₃)₂ glasses were observed under 980-nm laser diode excitation. The dependence of the emission intensities of Tb³⁺ on the pump power reveals that two-photon processes account for blue cooperative emission of Yb³⁺ at 476 nm and green upconversion emission of Tb³⁺ at 543 nm, and three-photon processes for ultraviolet emission of Tb³⁺ in the wavelength range of 379–435 nm. The effects of Tb³⁺ concentration on the emission intensity and the lifetime of Tb³⁺ and Yb³⁺ are investigated in detail. It is found that the cooperative energy transfer from a pair of excited Yb³⁺ ions to a ground Tb³⁺ ion is responsible for the appearance of blue and green upconversion emissions due to the ⁵D₄→⁷F _J (J=6,5,4,3) transitions of Tb³⁺, and the resonance energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Tb³⁺ accounts for the population on the ⁵D₃,⁵G₆ level and ultraviolet upconversion emission.     

Influence of magnetic ordering on electronic structure of Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ion in TbFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal

Optical absorption spectra of trigonal crystal TbFe₃(BO₃)₄ have been studied in the region of ⁷F₆ → ⁵D₄ transition in Tb³⁺ ion depending on temperature (2–220 K) and on magnetic field (0–60 kOe). Splitting of the Tb³⁺ excited states, both under the influence of the external magnetic field and effective exchange field of the Fe-sublattice, have been determined. Landé factors of the excited states have been found. Stepwise splitting of one of the absorption lines has been discovered in the region of the Fe-sublattice magnetic ordering temperature. This is shown to be due to the abrupt change of equilibrium geometry of the local Tb³⁺ ion environment only in the excited state of the Tb³⁺ ion. In general, the magnetic ordering is accompanied by temperature variations of the Tb³⁺ local environment in the excited states. The crystal field splitting components have been identified. In particular, it has been shown that the ground state (in D ₃ symmetry approximation) consists of two close singlet states of A ₁ and A ₂ type, which are split and magnetized by effective exchange field of the Fe-sublattice. Orientations of magnetic moments of the excited electronic states relative to that of the ground state have been experimentally determined in the magnetically ordered state of the crystal. A pronounced shift of one of absorption lines has been observed in the vicinity of the TbFe₃(BO₃)₄ structural phase transition. The temperature interval of coexistence of the phases is about 3 K.     

Fluorescence enhancement of Eu3+ by Tb3+ in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)

Photoexcitation of EuCl₃.6H₂O and TbCl₃.6H₂O mixtures in DMSO at various wavelengths brings about a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of Tb³⁺ and a subsequent enhancement in the fluorescence intensity of Tb³⁺ provided that [Tb³⁺] < [Eu³⁺]. The average value of the electronic excitation energy transfer rate constant k₁₀ which was found to be independent of the excitation wavelength, was determined to be about 1.50 × 10³ M^-1 s^-1. Photoexcitation of Tb³⁺ and subsequent population of high energy excited states is accompanied by rapid nonradiative de-excitation processes to the lowest excited state ⁵D₄, which is the origin of the energy transfer process. A lower limit for the value of the reaction rate constant, associated with the transition ⁵D₃ ? ⁵D₄, namely k₅, is of the order of 10⁵ ?10⁶ s^-1. Excitation at conditions leading to the exclusive population of the ⁵D₄ state of Tb³⁺ gave rise to a value of k₁₀ equal to (2.2 ± 0.4) × 10³ M^-1 s^-1 and a critical separation (R₀)_exp between Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ of about 13 Å. A theoretical value of R₀ equal to 14.2 Å was calculated. The energy transfer process does not appear to take place via clear cut dipole-dipole interactions but rather via complex multipole and/or exchange interactions.     

Dynamic studies on the time-resolved fluorescence of Sm in BaCl2

The time dependence of Sm²⁺ fluorescence in orthorhombic BaCl₂ was investigated between 77 and 300 K. The thermal quenching mechanism of the 4f-4f emissions of Sm²⁺ was examined. The position of the lowest level of Sm²⁺ 4f⁵5d states was calculated from the temperature dependence of ⁵D₁ lifetime by the two-step quenching model and was estimated in good approximation from the emission and excitation peaks by the electron-phonon coupling theory. A growing process of ⁵D₀-⁷F₀ emission and a double-decay process of 5d-4f emission were observed in the time-resolved fluorescence. They show clearly the population transfer among the Sm²⁺ excited states via thermal transition.     

Remarkable improvement of brightness for the green emissions in Ce and Tb co-activated LaPO4 nanowires

Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-activated LaPO₄ nanowires (NWs) were synthesized by the hydrothermal method and studied in contrast to corresponding micrometer rods (MRs). The results indicate that electronic transition rate of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in NWs had only a little variation in comparison with that in MRs, and energy transfer (ET) rate and efficiency of Ce³⁺→Tb³⁺ in NWs reduced. It is interesting to observe that the brightness for ⁵D₄-⁷F₅ of Tb³⁺ via ET of Ce³⁺→Tb³⁺ in NWs increased several times than that in MRs. This was attributed to the decreased energy loss in excited states being higher than ⁵D₄ of Tb³⁺ ions due to hindrance of boundary.     

D3→FJ emission of Tb doped sol–gel silica

Amorphous silica samples doped with 0.1 and 1 mol% of terbium (Tb) were synthesized by the sol–gel method. In addition to the green light associated with ⁵D₄→⁷F_J transitions of Tb³⁺, the sample containing 0.1 mol% also emitted blue light as a result of ⁵D₃→⁷F_J transitions during photoluminescence (PL) measurements. As a result of concentration quenching this blue emission was not observed for the samples doped with the higher concentration (1 mol%). However the blue ⁵D₃ →⁷F_J emission was observed in the 1 mol% doped samples during cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements. Since a rough calculation indicated that the excitation rate in the CL system where the blue emission is observed may be similar to a laser PL system under conditions where the blue emission is not observed, the difference is attributed to the nature of the excitation sources. It is suggested that during the CL excitation incident electrons can reduce non-luminescent Tb⁴⁺ ions in the silica, substituting for Si⁴⁺ ions, to the excited (Tb³⁺)? state and that these are responsible for the blue emission, which does not occur during PL excitation.     

Excited state dynamics and energy transfer rates in Sr3Tb0.90Eu0.10(PO4)3

The emission spectrum of neat Sr₃Tb(PO₄)₃ upon excitation at 337 nm in the levels above ⁵D₃ is dominated by ⁵D₄ emission and no significant emission from ⁵D₃ is observed due to efficient cross relaxation involving the Tb³⁺ levels. On the other hand, the emission spectrum of the same host containing 10 mol% Eu³⁺ upon excitation at the same wavelength (in the Tb³⁺ levels) is dominated by strong emission bands from the ⁵D₀ level of Eu³⁺. This clearly indicates that Tb³⁺→Eu³⁺ energy transfer is present. The excitation spectrum of the Eu^{3+ 5}D₀ emission is dominated by Tb³⁺ bands extending in the UV region.The presence of 10 mol% Eu³⁺ in Sr₃Tb(PO₄)₃ very strongly shortens the ⁵D₄ decay time. The decay curve is not far from exponential, indicating that the energy transfer to Eu³⁺ is accompanied by fast energy migration. The transfer regimes are identified and the donor–donor and donor–acceptor transfer microparameters are quantified under the assumption of electric dipole–electric dipole interactions.     

Energy transfer in CaSiO3 phosphors doped with Ce3+ and Tb3+

Calcium metasilicate phosphors activated by Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ have been studied for their emission characteristics. In two series of phosphors, one activator was kept at its optimum value while the other was varied. In another two series, one activator was kept below its optimum value and the other was varied. Concentration quenching effects start when each activator gives its maximum emission. There is clear evidence of an energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ because the⁵ D ₃ lines appear on addition of Ce³⁺ while they were conspicuously absent when Tb³⁺ alone was present. Their absence in singly activated phosphors could not have been due to cross-relaxation. Obviously X-ray excitation does not lead to⁵ D ₃ transitions which are achieved only by energy transfer. Further, considering the features of the emission spectra and the concentrations of activators used, the transfer could only be of the dipole-dipole type.     

Optical properties of red, green and blue emitting rare earth benzenetricarboxylate compounds

Red, blue and green emitting rare earth compounds (RE³⁺=Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺ and Tb³⁺) containing the benzenetricarboxylate ligands (BTC) [hemimellitic (EMA), trimellitic (TLA) and trimesic (TMA)] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, complexometric titration, X-ray diffraction patterns, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The complexes presented the following formula: [RE(EMA)(H₂O)₂], [RE(TLA)(H₂O)₄] and [RE(TMA)(H₂O)₆], except for Tb-TMA compound, which was obtained only as anhydrous. Phosphorescence data of Gd³⁺-(BTC) complexes showed that the triplet states (T) of the BTC³⁻ anions have energy higher than the main emitting states of the Eu³⁺ (⁵D₀) and Tb³⁺ (⁵D₄), indicating that BTC ligands can act as intramolecular energy donors for these metal ions. The high values of experimental intensity parameters (Ω₂) of Eu³⁺-(BTC) complexes indicate that the europium ion is in a highly polarizable chemical environment. Based on the luminescence spectra, the energy transfer from the T state of BTC ligands to the excited ⁵D₀ and ⁵D₄ levels of the Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions is discussed. The emission quantum efficiencies (η) of the ⁵D₀ emitting level of the Eu³⁺ ion have been also determined. In the case of the Tb³⁺ ion, the photoluminescence data show the high emission intensity of the characteristic transitions ⁵D₄→⁷F_J (J=0-6), indicating that the BTC ligands are good sensitizers. The RE³⁺-(BTC) complexes act as efficient light conversion molecular devices (LCMDs) and can be used as tricolor luminescent materials.     

Tb3+掺杂硅酸盐玻璃发光性能的浓度依赖关系

 利用高温熔融法制备了不同浓度的Tb³⁺掺杂硅酸盐玻璃,并分别测量了紫外和X射线激发时的发射光谱。光谱结果表明,不同浓度Tb³⁺掺杂硅酸盐玻璃在紫外和X射线激发时发光行为具有相似的浓度依赖关系：低浓度Tb₄O₇掺杂时主要以蓝光(5D₃→⁷FJ)发射为主,而高浓度掺杂时以绿光(⁵D₄→⁷FJ)发射为主。Tb³⁺发光强度与掺杂浓度的关系分析表明,⁵D₃的浓度猝灭是电偶极-电偶极相互作用引起的, 而⁵D₄的浓度猝灭是交换相互作用引起的。     

Excitation and luminescence of rare earth-doped lead phosphate glasses

Excitation and luminescence properties of Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in lead phosphate glasses have been studied. From excitation spectra of Eu³⁺ ions, the electron–phonon coupling strength and phonon energy of the glass host were calculated and compared to that obtained by Raman spectroscopy. Main intense and long-lived luminescence bands are related to the ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ (red) transition of Eu³⁺, the ⁵D₄–⁷F₅ (green) transition of Tb³⁺ and the ⁴I_13/2–⁴I_15/2 (near-infrared) transition of Er³⁺. The critical transfer distances, the donor–acceptor interaction parameters and the energy transfer probabilities were calculated using the fitting of the luminescence decay curves from ⁵D₀ (Eu³⁺), ⁵D₄ (Tb³⁺) and ⁴I_13/2 (Er³⁺) excited states. The energy transfer probabilities for Eu³⁺ (⁵D₀), Tb³⁺ (⁵D₄) and Er³⁺ (⁴I_13/2) are relatively small, which indicates low self-quenching luminescence of rare earth ions in lead phosphate glasses.     

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.     

Spectrofluorimetric Assessment of Hydrochlorothiazide Using Optical Sensor Nano-Composite Terbium Ion Doped in Sol-Gel Matrix

A new, simple, sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of Hydrochlorothiazide was developed in acetonitrile at pH 6.2. The Hydrochlorothiazide can remarkably enhance the luminescence intensity of the Tb³⁺ ion doped in sol–gel matrix at λ_ex = 370 nm. The intensity of the emission band of Tb³⁺ ion doped in sol–gel matrix was increased due to the energy transfer from the triplet excited state of Hydrochlorothiazide to (⁵D₄) excited energy state of Tb³ ion. The enhancement of the emission band of Tb³⁺ ion doped in sol–gel matrix at (⁵D₄→⁷ F₅) 545 nm was directly proportion to the concentration of Hydrochlorothiazide with a dynamic ranges of 5.0 × 10⁻¹⁰—5.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ and detection limit of 2.2 × 10⁻¹¹ mol L⁻¹.     

Enhanced luminescent properties of Y3Al5O12:Tb,Ce phosphor prepared by spray pyrolysis

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) particles doped with Tb³⁺ or double doped with Tb³⁺ and Ce³⁺ were prepared by spray pyrolysis and characterized by photo- and cathode-luminescence. It was tried to incorporate a broad band of Ce³⁺ activator into the line peaks of Tb³⁺ in YAG host without the reduction of emission intensity. Ce-codoped YAG:Tb particles showed a broad band emission due to the d-f transition of Ce³⁺ and a reduction in the intensity of emission peaks due to ⁵D₃-⁷F_j (j=3, 4, 5, 6) transition of Tb³⁺ when they were excited by the ultraviolet light of 270 nm. These results supported that an effective energy transfer occurs from Tb³⁺ to Ce³⁺ in YAG host. Codoping Ce³⁺ ions greatly intensified the excitation peak at 270 nm for the emission at 540 nm of Tb³⁺, which means that more lattice defects, involving in the energy absorption and transfer to Tb³⁺, are formed by the Ce³⁺ codoping. The finding gives a promising approach for enhancing the luminescence efficiency.