Enhanced blue emission and EPR study of LaMgAl11O19:Eu phosphors

Europium doped LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉ phosphor was prepared by the combustion method. The as-prepared and post-treated (1350 °C 10 h 5% H₂+95% N₂) phosphors were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. XRD patterns show that LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉:Eu phosphors have hexagonal structure. FT-IR spectrum exhibits absorption bands corresponding to the stretching vibration of AlO₄ and AlO₆. Morphological studies reveal that this phosphor has faceted plates of varying sizes and shapes. The as-prepared LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉:Eu phosphor consists of both Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions. The phosphor exhibits a bright blue emission at 450 nm (4f⁶5d→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺). On post-treating the phosphor we are able to enhance the blue emission efficiency by 330%. The process was detected from the evolution of excitation, emission and EPR spectra and the results are discussed.     

Spherical Zn2SiO4:Eu@SiO2 phosphor particles in core-shell structure: Synthesis and characterization

Spherical SiO₂ particles have been coated with Zn₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor layers by a Pechini sol-gel process. The microstructure and luminescent properties of the obtained Zn₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺@SiO₂ particles were well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and lifetime. The results demonstrate that the Zn₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺@SiO₂ particles, which have regular and uniform spherical morphology, emitted an intensive red light emission at 613 nm under excitation at 395 nm. Besides, the effects of the Eu³⁺ concentration, annealing temperature and charge compensators of Li⁺ ions on the PL emission intensities were investigated in detail.     

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.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of a new red-emitting phosphor for solid-state lighting: Eu0.1GdxLa1.9−xTeO6 (0.02?x?0.1)

The photoluminescence (PL) emission and excitation behavior of red-emitting Eu_0.1Gd_xLa_1.9−xTeO₆ (0.02?x?0.1) powder phosphors is reported. Three dominant bands centered at 395, 466 and 534 nm characterized the excitation spectrum. Under the excitation of 395 nm UV light, the emission spectrum exhibits an intense peak centered at 616 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺. Because the f→f transitions are located in the wavelength range of blue or near-UV range, optimized phosphor, Eu_0.10Gd_0.08La_1.82TeO₆, is a promising material for solid-state lighting based on GaN LEDs applications.     

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.     

Sol-gel growth of Gd2MoO6:Eu nanocrystalline layers on SiO2 spheres (SiO2@Gd2MoO6:Eu) and their luminescent properties

SiO₂@Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ core-shell phosphors were prepared by the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the resulting SiO₂@Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ core-shell phosphors. The XRD results demonstrate that the Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ layers on the SiO₂ spheres begin to crystallize after annealing at 600 °C and the crystallinity increases with raising the annealing temperature. The obtained core-shell phosphors have a near perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size ca. 600 nm), are not agglomerated, and have a smooth surface. The thickness of the Gd₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ shells on the SiO₂ cores could be easily tailored by varying the number of deposition cycles (50 nm for four deposition cycles). The Eu³⁺ shows a strong PL luminescence (dominated by ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ red emission at 613 nm) under the excitation of 307 nm UV light. The PL intensity of Eu³⁺ increases with increasing the annealing temperature and the number of coating cycles.     

The luminescence and structural characteristics of Eu- doped NaSrB5O9 phosphor

A red-emitting phosphor NaSrB₅O₉:Eu³⁺ was synthesized by employing a solid-state reaction (SSR) method. The structures of the phosphors were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman studies. The band at ~282 nm in the excitation spectra indicated the charge transfer band (CTB) of B-O in the host, whereas the CTB of Eu-O was observed at ~275 nm for the NaSrB₅O₉:Eu³⁺ (Eu³⁺=1 at.%) phosphor, which was supported by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) measurements. The photoluminescence (PL) measurements exhibited a strong red emission band centered at about 616 nm (⁵D₀→⁷F₂) under an excitation wavelength of 394 nm (⁷F₀→⁵L₆). Upon host excitation at 282 nm, the pristine NaSrB₅O₉ exhibited a broad UV emission centered at ~362 nm. The energy transfer from host to Eu³⁺ ions was confirmed from luminescence spectra, excited with a 355 nm Nd:YAG laser. In addition, the asymmetric ratios indicate a higher local symmetry around the Eu³⁺ ion in the host. The calculated CIE (Commission International de l′Eclairage) coordinates displayed excellent color purity efficiencies (around 99.7%) compared to other luminescent materials.     

Effect of concentration on the luminescence of Eu ions in nanocrystalline La2O3

Nanocrystalline powders with various Eu³⁺ concentration (from 1 to 10 mol %) doped La₂O₃ were prepared via a combustion route. Their structure and morphology were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The emission spectra of the as-synthesized samples show that the strongest emission position is centered at 626 nm corresponding to ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions and the intensity change of 626 nm emission is considered as a function of ultraviolet (240 nm) irradiation time. The excitation spectra at 626 nm monitoring indicate that the charge transfer state band is varies with different Eu³⁺ ion concentration. These results are attributed to the surface defects of the nanocrystals.     

Preparation and luminescent properties of phosphor MGd2(MoO4)4: Eu (M=Ca, Sr and Ba)

Intense red emitting phosphors MGd₂(MoO₄)₄: Eu³⁺ (M=Ca, Sr and Ba) have been synthesized by the simple sol-gel technique. The formation processes and the phase impurity of phosphors are characterized by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and power X-ray diffraction (XRD). The narrower size distribution and the regular shape of the phosphor particles are also measured by Field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE-SEM). Photo-luminescent properties of the phosphors are performed at room temperature. Their excitation spectra present strong absorption at 395 nm near-UV light and 465 nm blue light, which match well with commercial LED chips. The phosphors exhibit satisfactory and excellent red light dominated by 616 nm and their photoluminescence intensity is about 3-4 times stronger than that of phosphor YAG under the 465 nm excitation. In addition, the optimal concentrations of Eu³⁺ for phosphors MGd₂(MoO₄)₄ (M=Ca, Sr and Ba) have also been determined.     

Luminescent properties of R doped Sr2SiO4:Eu(R=Li, Na and K) red-emitting phosphors for white LEDs

Sr₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺ and Sr₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺ doped with R⁺(R⁺=Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) phosphors were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction and investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD patterns and SEM reveal that the optimal firing condition for Sr₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺ was 1300 °C for 4 h. The excitation and emission spectra indicate that the phosphor can be effectively excited by ultraviolet (395 nm) and blue (466 nm) light and emits intense red light peaked at around 614 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transitions of Eu³⁺. In the research work, the effect of R⁺ contents on luminescence property and the Eu³⁺ concentration quenching process have also been investigated. The Eu³⁺ concentration quenching mechanism was verified to be a multipole-multipole interaction and the critical energy-transfer distance was calculated to be around 14.6 Å. The dopant R⁺(R⁺=Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) as charge compensator in Sr₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺ can further enhance luminescence intensity, and the emission intensity of Sr₂SiO₄:Eu³⁺ doping Li⁺ is higher than that of Na⁺ or K⁺.     

Highly luminescent red light phosphor CaTiO3:Eu under near-ultraviolet excitation

The Eu-doped CaTiO₃ particles with a good crystallinity were prepared via sol-gel method. The phosphors showed a strong red emission corresponding to ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ (618 nm) of Eu³⁺ under the near-ultraviolet excitation (400 nm). X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescent (PL) analysis and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area measurement were utilized to characterize the CaTiO₃:Eu³⁺ particles. The concentration quenching and thermal quenching of the samples were discussed as well. The optimal concentration and the calcination temperature were 16 mol% of Eu³⁺ and 1400 °C for these phosphors, and the possible reason was discussed as well. CaTiO₃:Eu³⁺ is a promising red phosphor under near-ultraviolet excitation for various applications.     

Blue-emitting long-lasting phosphor, Sr3Al10SiO20:Eu,Ho

A novel blue-emitting long-lasting phosphor Sr₃Al₁₀SiO₂₀:Eu²⁺,Ho³⁺ is prepared by the conventional high-temperature solid-state technique and their luminescent properties are investigated. XRD, photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) are used to characterize the synthesized phosphors. These phosphors are well crystallized by calcinations at 1500-1600 °C for 3 h. The phosphor emits blue light and shows long-lasting phosphorescence after it is excited with 254/365 nm ultraviolet light. TL curves reveal the introduction of Ho³⁺ ions into the Sr₃Al₁₀SiO₂₀:Eu²⁺ host produces a highly dense trap level at appropriate depth, which is the origin of the long-lasting phosphorescence in this kind of material. The long-lasting phosphorescence lasts for nearly 6 h in the light perception of the dark-adapted human eye (0.32 mcd/m²). All the results indicate that this phosphor has promising potential practical applications.     

Preparation and luminescent characteristic of Li3NbO4 nanophosphor

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Li₃NbO₄ oxides by the sol-gel process were investigated. The products were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and absorption spectra. The PL spectra excited at 247 nm have a broad and strong blue emission band maximum at 376 nm, corresponding to the self-activated luminescence of the niobate octahedra group [NbO₆]⁷⁻. The optical absorption spectra of the samples sintered at temperatures of 600 and 700 °C exhibited the band-gap energies of 4.0 and 4.08 eV.     

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.     

An efficient co-doping of Eu and Er in CaAl2O4 aluminate phosphor

CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ co-doped with varying concentrations of Er³⁺ was prepared by solid-state reaction method. Prepared materials with 1 mol% Eu²⁺ and 2-10 mol% of Er³⁺ were investigated for their photoluminescence properties. Phase, morphology and crystalline structure were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Broad band UV-excited luminescence was observed for CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Er³⁺ in the blue region (λ_max=440 nm) due to transitions from 4f⁶5d¹ to the 4f⁷ configuration of the Eu²⁺ ion. The Er³⁺ ion co-doping generates deep traps, which results in longer decay time for phosphorescence.     

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.     

A study on the luminescence properties of CaAl2B2O7:Eu phosphor

The blue-emitting CaAl₂B₂O₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor was prepared at 800 °C by a modified solid-state reaction. The results of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of CaAl₂B₂O₇:Eu²⁺. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy showed that the phosphor could be excited efficiently by UV-vis light from 250 to 410 nm, and exhibit blue emission (460 nm). The emission intensity of CaAl₂B₂O₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor varies with the increase of Eu²⁺concentration. The mechanism of resonance-type energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Eu²⁺ was established to be electric multipole-multipole interaction. TEM images showed that the grain size of CaAl₂B₂O₇:Eu²⁺ is about 45 nm, which is in full agreement with the theoretical calculation data from the XRD patterns.     

Effect of Ca and Sr alkaline earth ions on luminescence properties of BaAl12O19:Eu nanophosphor

Nanosized barium aluminate materials was doped by divalent cations (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺) and Eu²⁺ having nominal compositions Ba_1−xMxAl₁₂O₁₉:Eu (M=Ca and Sr) (x=0.1-0.5), were synthesized by the combustion method. These phosphors were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and photoluminescence measurement. The photoluminescence characterization showed the presence of Eu ion in divalent form which gave emission bands peaking at 444 nm for the 320 nm excitation (solid-state lighting excitation), while for 254 nm it gave the same emission wavelength of low intensity (1.5 times) compared to 320 nm excitation. It was also observed that alkaline earth metal (Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺) dopants increase the intensity of Eu²⁺ ion in BaAl₁₂O₁₉ lattice, thus this phosphor may be useful for solid-state lighting.     

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.     

Thermally stable blue-emitting NaSrPO4:Eu phosphor for near UV white LEDs

A novel blue light emitting NaSr_1 − xPO₄:Eu²⁺_x (x = 0.001 to 0.02) phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction method to investigate its optical properties and thermal stability for its application in white light-emitting diodes (w-LEDs). The excitation and emission spectra of the prepared phosphor reveal a broad emission peak centered at 460 nm which arises due to 4f-5d transitions of Eu²⁺ upon the near ultra-violet (n-UV) excitation wavelength at 380 nm. The effect of Eu²⁺ doping concentration and sintering temperature on the emission intensity of NaSrPO₄:Eu²⁺ was investigated along with its chromaticity coordinates. The temperature dependent luminescence properties of the prepared phosphor show better results than that of the commercial YAG:Ce³⁺phosphor. Besides, their XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TG, and DTA profiles have also been analyzed to explore its structural details.