Temperature dependence of persistent luminescence in β-irradiated SrAl2O4:Eu, Dy phosphor

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ is a phosphor characterized by a long persistent luminescence (PLUM) when excited with UV-vis light and ionizing radiation exhibiting intensity variation in the 10-320 K temperature range and maximum intensity around 320 K. In this work, we study the PLUM behavior of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ as a function of temperature from room temperature to 670 K in samples exposed to β irradiation. The room-temperature irradiation followed by PLUM readout revealed an integrated PLUM maximum at 323 K decreasing later. In contrast, irradiation and PLUM readout at temperatures above room temperatures produced integrated PLUM intensities maxima around 425 and 625 K. Successive cycles of preheating followed by irradiation and PLUM readout produced an increasing of the PLUM intensity as a function of cycle number. The observed phenomenon was ascribed to trapped electrons at the multiple trapping states related to the 425 and 625 K defects levels and electron transfer from one trap to another (electron hopping). Eventually, there is a return to the 5d level of Eu³⁺ cations with the characteristic PLUM emission by thermal energy supplied at room temperature (lattice vibrations) or by a preheating-irradiation-readout cycle. This property may allow keeping up the PLUM properties of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors through background radiation self exposure and adequate heating processes.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of needle-like SrAl2O4:Eu, Dy phosphor via a hydrothermal co-precipitation method

Needle-like SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors had been prepared by calcining the precursors obtained from hydrothermal process at the temperature of 1100 °C in a weak reductive atmosphere of active carbon. The crystal structure, morphology and optical properties of the composites were characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns illustrated that the single-phase SrAl₂O₄ was formed at 1100 °C, which is much lower than that prepared by the traditional method. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation revealed the precursors and the resulted SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors had well-dispersed distribution and needle-like morphology with an average diameter about 150 nm at the center and the length up to 1 μm. After irradiation by ultraviolet radiation with 350 nm for 5 min, the phosphors emit green color long-lasting phosphorescence corresponding to the typical emission of Eu²⁺ ion, both the PL spectra and luminance decay revealed that the phosphors had efficient luminescent and long lasting properties.     

Radioluminescence properties of rare earths doped SrAl2O4 nanopowders

Nanopowders of SrAl₂O₄ pure and doped with rare earths were prepared via a proteic sol-gel methodology. The prepared materials presented a single crystalline phase, confirmed by XRD measurements. AFM results indicate that the average particle size is about 53 nm for SrAl₂O₄ powders. The radioluminescence spectrum of SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ is composed by two intense peaks around 520 and 570 nm followed by a weaker emission peaking at 615 nm. It was observed that the intensity of RL emission during irradiation with X-rays decreased as a function of the irradiation time, indicating the build up of radiation damage in the nanopowders. The irradiated samples exhibited a persistent radiation damage that changes the colour of the sample, and also influenced the reduction in the scintillation efficiency. The saturation level of SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺ is 96%, exhibiting good resistance to radiation damage.     

Dose effects on the long persistent luminescence properties of beta irradiated SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor

The SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ is a phosphor characterized by a long persistent luminescence (PLUM) when it is excited with UV–VIS light and ionizing radiation. In this paper, we study the PLUM behavior as a function of beta irradiation dose in the 0–650 Gy range with a fixed dose rate of 5 Gy/min. The PLUM intensity showed a complex decay behavior, exhibiting a near linear response in the 0–1.7 Gy low dose range and gradually increasing up to 160 Gy. The PLUM reached the saturation for higher doses (>275 Gy) with a slight decrease in the range of 300–650 Gy. In addition, a systematic PLUM enhancement was produced after a thermal cleaning procedure and irradiation at RT in a series of 10 cycles. The observed phenomenon may be related to a radiation-induced process of charge trapping accumulation, which is triggered by thermal stimulation during the irradiation stage. It improves the luminescent characteristics of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors rendering them suitable for permanent display and illumination devices.     

Photoluminescence and phosphorescence properties of MAl2O4:Eu, Dy (M=Ca, Ba, Sr) phosphors prepared at an initiating combustion temperature of 500 °C

Eu²⁺ and Dy³⁺ co-doped calcium aluminate, barium aluminate and strontium aluminate phosphors were synthesized at an initiating combustion temperature of 500 °C using urea as an organic fuel. The crystallinity of the phosphors was investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the morphology was determined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The low temperature monoclinic structure for both CaAl₂O₄ and SrAl₂O₄ and the hexagonal structure of BaAl₂O₄ were observed. The effect of the host materials on the photoluminescence (PL) and phosphorescence properties were investigated by using a He-Cd Laser and a Cary Eclipse fluorescence spectrophotometer, respectively. The broad band emission spectra observed at 449 nm for CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺, 450 nm (with a shoulder-peak at 500 nm) for BaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ and 528 nm for SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ are attributed to the 4f⁶5d¹ to 4f⁷ transition in the Eu²⁺ ion in the different hosts.     

Phosphorescent and thermoluminescent properties of SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy phosphors prepared by solid state reaction method

Long persistent SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ phosphors co-doped with Dy³⁺ were prepared by the solid state reaction method. The main diffraction peaks of the monoclinic structure of SrAl₂O₄ were observed in all the samples. The broad band emission spectra at 497 nm for SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ were observed and the emission is attributed to the 4f⁶5d¹ to 4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺ ions. The samples annealed at 1100–1200 °C showed similar broad TL glow curves centered at 120 °C. The similar TL glow curves suggest that the traps responsible for them are similar. The long afterglow displayed by the phosphors annealed at different temperatures, may be attributed to the Dy³⁺ ions acting as the hole trap levels, which play an important role in prolonging the duration of luminescence.     

The effect of different gas atmospheres on luminescent properties of pulsed laser ablated SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy thinfilms

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ thin films were grown on Si (1 0 0) substrates using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique to investigate the effect of vacuum, oxygen (O₂) and argon (Ar) deposition atmospheres on the structural, morphological, photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) properties of the films. The films were ablated using a 248 nm KrF excimer laser. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and fluorescence spectrophotometry were used to characterize the thin films. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) combined with CL spectroscopy were employed for the surface characterization and electron-beam induced degradation of the films. Better PL intensities were obtained from the unannealed films prepared in Ar and O₂ atmospheres with respect to those prepared in vacuum. A stable green emission peak at 515 nm, attributed to 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ Eu²⁺ transitions were obtained with less intense peaks at 619 nm, which were attributed to transitions in Eu³⁺. After annealing the films prepared in vacuum at 800 °C for 2 h, the intensity of the green emission (520 nm) of the thin film increased considerably. The amorphous thin film was crystalline after the annealing process. The CL intensity increased under prolonged electron bombardment during the removal of C due to electron stimulated surface chemical reactions (ESSCRs) on the surface of the SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ thin films. The CL stabilized and stayed constant thereafter.     

Red emission in B- and Li-doped SrAl2O4:Eu phosphor under UV excitation

Samples of SrAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ doped with B³⁺ and SrAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ co-doped with B³⁺ and Li⁺ have been prepared by the solid-reaction method. The influence of B³⁺ and Li⁺ contents on luminescence property has been investigated. It is found that the substitution of B³⁺ for Al³⁺ greatly improves red emission intensity at 591, 615 and 701 nm. The dopant Li⁺ as charge compensator in SrAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺, B³⁺ can further enhance luminescence intensity. The strongest red emission is obtained in the Sr(Al_1.9, B_0.1)O₄:Eu_0.02³⁺, Li⁺_0.02 sample. The developed phosphors can be efficiently excited by ultraviolet (UV) light from 350 to 480 nm, which indicates that B³⁺ and Li⁺ co-doped SrAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ is a good candidate phosphor applied in solid-state lighting in conjunction with white UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs).     

Photoluminescence and afterglow behavior of Eu, Dy and Eu, Dy in Sr3Al2O6 matrix

This paper reports the photoluminescence and afterglow behavior of Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ in Sr₃Al₂O₆ matrix co-doped with Dy³⁺. The samples containing Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ were prepared via solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction (XRD), photo luminescent spectroscope (PLS) and thermal luminescent spectroscope (TLS) were employed to characterize the phosphors. The comparison between the emission spectra revealed that Sr₃Al₂O₆ phosphors doped with Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ and Eu³⁺, Dy³⁺ showed different photoluminescence. The phosphor doped with Eu³⁺, Dy³⁺ showed an intrinsic f-f transition generated from Eu³⁺, with two significant emissions at 591 and 610 nm. However, the phosphor doped with Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ revealed a broad d-f emission centering around 512 nm. After the UV source was turned off, Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ activated Sr₃Al₂O₆ phosphor showed excellent afterglow while Eu³⁺, Dy³⁺ activated phosphor almost showed no afterglow. Thermal simulated luminescence study indicated that the persistent afterglow of Sr₃Al₂O₆: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphor was generated by suitable electron traps formed by the co-doped rare-earth ions (Dy³⁺) within the host.     

PHASE DEPENDENCE OF LUMINESCENT EMISSION OF Eu2+ DOPED SrAl2O4

In this work, we made five samples of SrAl₂O₄: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺, the α phase and β phase SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ powder and pellet samples, and α phase single crystal. We have measured the emission spectra of all the samples. All the emission peaks are around 520 nm, which correspond to the transition from 4f⁶5d¹(²E_g) to 4f⁷(⁸S_7/2) of Eu²⁺ in SrAl₂O₄ host. The intensity of emission of the β phase is stronger than that of the α phase. We believe that it is because the Eu²⁺ ions have occupied the two types of sites in the α phase SrAl₂O₄ host and the lifetime of the transition of Eu²⁺ in the A site is longer than that in the B site. This result also proves that the β phase of the material is brighter than the α phase. In addition, the β phase can be achieved by quenching technique.     

Surface characterization and luminescent properties of SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy nano thin films

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ thin films were grown on Si (1 0 0) substrates in different atmospheres using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The effects of vacuum, oxygen (O₂) and argon (Ar) deposition atmospheres on the structural, morphological and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the films were investigated. The films were ablated using a 248 nm KrF excimer laser. Improved PL intensities were obtained from the unannealed films prepared in Ar and O₂ atmospheres compared to those prepared in vacuum. A stable green emission peak at 520 nm, attributed to 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ Eu²⁺ transitions was obtained. After annealing the films prepared in vacuum at 800 °C for 2 h, the intensity of the green emission (520 nm) of the thin film increased considerably. The amorphous thin film was crystalline after the annealing process. The diffusion of adventitious C into the nanostructured layers deposited in the Ar and O₂ atmospheres was most probably responsible for the quenching of the PL intensity after annealing.     

Structural, luminescent and thermal properties of blue SrAl2O4:Eu, Dy phosphor filled low-density polyethylene composites

The performance of nanophase luminophors is usually compromised by environmentally induced degradation. In this study, composites of low density polyethylene (LDPE) with various concentrations of the blue-emitting europium and dysprosium co-doped strontium aluminate (SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺) phosphor were investigated. The blue long-lasting phosphorescence of the composites was observed in the dark after removal of the excitation light. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of the SrAl₂O₄ phase in the composites. PL spectra of the composites have two sets of peaks, major broad bands peaking at about 4855 Å and minor ones at wavelengths between 4115 and 4175 Å, attributed to the 4f-5d transition of Eu²⁺. DSC and TGA results show that the introduction of the phosphor in LDPE matrix caused a slight reduction in the crystallinity of LDPE but a significant increase in the stability of the composites.     

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 optical properties of Er and Eu doped SrAl2O4 phosphor ceramic

We report, for the first time on luminescence from a Er³⁺ doped SrAl₂O₄ phosphor. Effects of Eu³⁺ doping were also studied. The influence of rare-earth doping in crystal structure and its optical properties were analysed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering, optical absorption, excitation and emission (PL) spectroscopy, thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Luminescence spectra and luminescence decay curves for Er³⁺ transitions in the near infrared region were recorded. The PL maximum for Eu doped SrAl₂O₄ is obtained at 620 nm and corresponds to the orange region of the spectrum. Diffraction patterns reveal a dominant phase, characteristic of the monoclinic SrAl₂O₄ compound and the presence of dopants has no effect on the basic crystal structure of SrAl₂O₄. The shapes of the glow curves are different for each dopant irradiated with either a ⁹⁰Sr-⁹⁰Y beta source, or UV light at 311 nm, and in detail the TL signals differ somewhat between Er and Eu dopants.     

The effects of substrate temperature on the structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties of pulsed laser deposited SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy thin films

In this study, SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ thin film phosphors were deposited on Si (1 0 0) substrates using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The films were deposited at different substrate temperatures in the range of 40-700 °C. The structure, morphology and topography of the films were determined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Photoluminescence (PL) data was collected in air at room temperature using a 325 nm He-Cd laser as an excitation source. The PL spectra of all the films were characterized by green phosphorescent photoluminescence at ∼530 nm. This emission was attributed to 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺. The highest PL intensity was observed from the films deposited at a substrate temperature of 400 °C. The effects of varying substrate temperature on the PL intensity were discussed.     

The influence of some processing conditions on host crystal structure and phosphorescence properties of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ nanoparticle pigments synthesized by combustion technique

The spectroscopic and host phase properties of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors with a series of different initiating combustion temperature, urea concentration as a fuel and critical pH of precursor solution are investigated. The SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ nanoparticle pigments were obtained by exothermic combustion process within less than 5 min. The sample that ignited at initiating combustion temperature of 600 °C exhibits highest intensity emission peak at 517 nm in which the SrAl₂O₄ host phase has the maximum fraction of monoclinic SrAl₂O₄ phase. The excitation spectra consist of 240 and 254 nm broad peaks. The experimental results show that the optimum ratio of urea is 2.5 times higher than theoretical quantities for best emission condition of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphor particles. The critical pH was obtained about 5.2. The crystallite size of these pigments is about 40 nm before thermal treatment and 62 nm after thermal treatment, respectively.     

Auger electron/X-ray photoelectron and cathodoluminescent spectroscopic studies of pulsed laser ablated SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy thin films

Auger electron/X-ray photoelectron and cathodoluminescent (CL) spectroscopic studies were conducted on pulsed laser deposited SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ thin films and the correlation between the surface chemical reactions and the decrease in the CL intensity was determined. The Auger electron and the CL data were collected simultaneously in a vacuum chamber either maintained at base pressure or backfilled with oxygen gas. The data were collected when the films were irradiated for 14 h with 2 keV electrons. The CL emission peak attributed to the 4f⁶5d¹ → 4f⁷ transitions was observed at ∼521 nm and the CL intensity of the peaks degraded at different rates in different vacuum conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data collected from degraded films suggest that strontium oxide (SrO) and aliminium oxide (Al₂O₃) were formed on the surface of the film as a result of electron stimulated surface chemical reaction (ESSCR).     

Emission analysis of Dy and Pr:Bi2O3-ZnF2-B2O3-Li2O-Na2O glasses

In this paper, we present the spectral results of Dy³⁺ and Pr³⁺ (1.0 mol%) ions doped Bi₂O₃-ZnF₂-B₂O₃-Li₂O-Na₂O glasses. Measurements of X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) profiles of these rare-earth ions doped glasses have been carried out. From the DSC thermograms, glass transition (T_g), crystallization (T_c) and melting (T_m) temperatures have been evaluated. The direct and indirect optical band gaps have been calculated based on the glasses UV absorption spectra. The emission spectrum of Dy³⁺:glass has shown two emission transitions ⁴F_7/2→⁶H_15/2 (482 nm) and ⁴F_7/2→⁶H_13/2 (576 nm) with an excitation at 390 nm wavelength and Pr³⁺:glass has shown a strong emission transition ¹D₂→³H₄ (610 nm) with an excitation at 445 nm. Upon exposure to UV radiation, Dy³⁺ and Pr³⁺ glasses have shown bright yellow and reddish colors, respectively, from their surfaces.     

Luminescence studies on SrMgAl10O17:Eu, Dy phosphor crystals

Using urea as fuel, SrMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu, Dy phosphor was prepared by a combustion method. Its luminescence properties under ultraviolet (UV) excitation were investigated. Pure SrMgAl₁₀O₁₇ phase was formed by urea-nitrate solution combustion synthesis at 550 °C. The results indicated that the emission spectra of SrMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu, Dy has one main peak at 460 nm and one shoulder peak near 516 nm, which are ascribed to two different types of luminescent Eu²⁺ centers existing in the SrMgAl₁₀O₁₇ matrix crystal. The blue luminescence emission of SrMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu phosphors was improved under UV excitation by codoping Dy³⁺ ions. The SrMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu phosphors showed green afterglow (λ=516 nm) when Dy³⁺ ions were doped. Dy³⁺ ions not only successfully play the role of sensitizer for energy transfer in the system, but also act as trap levels and capture the free holes in the spinel blocks.     

Luminescence in trivalent rare earth activated Sr4Al2O7 phosphor

In this paper we report the combustion synthesis of trivalent rare-earth (RE³⁺ = Dy, Eu and Ce) activated Sr₄Al₂O₇ phosphor. The prepared phosphors were characterized by the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. Photoluminescence emission peaks of Sr₄Al₂O₇:Dy³⁺ phosphor at 474 nm and 578 nm in the blue and yellow region of the spectrum. The prepared Eu³⁺ doped phosphors were excited by 395 nm then we found that the characteristics emission of europium ions at 615 nm (⁵D₀?⁷F₂) and 592 nm (⁵D₀?⁷F₁). Photoluminescence (PL) peaks situated at wavelengths of 363 and 378 nm in the UV region under excitation at around 326 nm in the Sr₄Al₂O₇:Ce³⁺ phosphor.