Eu red long afterglow in Y2O2S:Ti, Eu phosphor through afterglow energy transfer

Eu,Ti co-doped Y₂O₂S:0.03Ti,0.03Eu phosphors and single Eu or Ti doped Y₂O₂S phosphors were prepared and their luminescent properties were investigated in detail by photoluminescence (PL) spectra, long afterglow spectra and thermoluminescence spectra measurements. The results showed that Y₂O₂S:Ti,Eu phosphors possess orange-red afterglow color with afterglow time above 5 h. The reddish afterglow color, which corresponds to a set of linear Eu³⁺ emissions at low-energy range (540-630 nm), was demonstrated to come from the energy transfer process from yellow Ti afterglow emissions, the proposed energy transfer mechanism may well explain the Eu³⁺ afterglow emission.     

Investigation on Eu doped Sr2MgSi2O7 red-emitting phosphors for white-light-emitting diodes

In this work, we report the high temperature solid-state synthesis of red phosphors Sr₂MgSi₂O₇: Eu³⁺ with various Eu³⁺ concentrations. Their luminescent properties at room temperature are investigated. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the red phosphors powder conforms to the tetragonal Sr₂MgSi₂O₇. Impurity structure appears when more than 20% Eu³⁺ is doped. The samples show a strong emission line at 615 nm and the intensity increases with the increase of Eu³⁺ concentration until concentration quenching occurs. Charge compensation assists in the reduction of the impurity structure and vacancies; hence the luminescent intensity is enhanced. The decay measurement indicates that the lifetime of Eu³⁺ emission is about 2-3 ms. Some of the Eu³⁺ can be reduced to Eu²⁺; this is also discussed.     

Sr2CeO4:Eu and Sr2CeO4:5 mol% Eu, 3 mol% Dy microphosphors: Wet chemistry synthesis from hybrid precursor and photoluminescence properties

In this article, Sr₂CeO₄:x mol% Eu³⁺ and Sr₂CeO₄:5 mol%Eu³⁺, 3 mol% Dy³⁺ phosphors were synthesized from assembling hybrid precursors by wet chemical method. As-prepared samples present uniform grain-like morphology and the particle size is about 0.2 μm. The luminescence spectra of Sr₂CeO₄:x mol% Eu³⁺ have been measured to examine the influence of the intensity of red emission lines for Eu³⁺ on the concentration of Eu³⁺, showing that the intensity of the red emission increases with an increase of the concentration from 1 to 5 mol%. Additionally, from the emission spectra of Sr₂CeO₄:5 mol%Eu³⁺, 3 mol% Dy³⁺ phosphors, the characteristic lines of Dy³⁺ have also been observed. This result indicates that there also exists an energy transfer process between Sr₂CeO₄ and Dy³⁺.     

Emission analysis of Pr and Tm: Ca2Gd2W3O14 phosphors

5 mol% of Pr³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions activated calcium gadolinium tungstate (Ca₂Gd₂W₃O₁₄₎ phosphors were synthesized by traditional solid state reaction method. Crystalline phase structure was identified from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) profiles. From the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, we have observed the agglomeration of the particles, and average grain size is around 40-300 nm. Using the energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, identified the elements and functional groups present in the prepared phosphors. The emission spectrum of Pr³⁺: Ca₂Gd₂W₃O₁₄ powder phosphors have shown an intense red emission at 615 nm with the excitation wavelength λ_exci=450 nm and thus these red color emitting powder phosphors are used as one of the components in the preparation of WLEDs. The excitation spectrum of Tm³⁺: Ca₂Gd₂W₃O₁₄ powder phosphor has shown a ligand to metal charge transfer (W-O) band (LMCT) within the WO₄²⁻ group. Emission spectrum of Tm³⁺: Ca₂Gd₂W₃O₁₄ phosphors have shown blue emissions at 453 nm (¹D₂→³F₄).     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of europium-activated Ca2SnO4 phosphors by sol-gel method

In this paper, the Ca₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor was prepared by low-temperature sol-gel method. The influence of calcined temperature and time on structure of Ca₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ was investigated by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The experimental results show that the dried gel was crystallized to the pure orthorhombic phase after calcination at 900 °C in air for 6 h. These phosphors have displayed bright red color under a UV source. The richness of the red color has been verified by determining their color coordination from the CIE standard charts, and this red emission has been assigned to ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ electric dipole transition at 616 and 620 nm. The excellent luminescence properties make it possible as a good candidate for plasma display panel (PDP) application.     

Photoluminescence investigations of Zn2SiO4 co-doped with Eu and Tb ions

Zinc silicate phosphors co-doped with Eu³⁺ ions and also with both Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions were prepared by high temperature solid state reaction in air or reducing atmosphere. The luminescence characteristics of the prepared phosphors were investigated. While in the samples prepared in air, Eu³⁺ emission was found to be dominant over Tb³⁺ emission, in the samples prepared in reducing atmosphere, intense Eu²⁺ emission at 448 nm was found to be predominant over narrow Tb³⁺ emission. Luminescence studies showed that Eu³⁺ ions occupy asymmetric sites in Zn₂SiO₄ lattice. The intense f-f absorption peak of Eu³⁺ at 395 nm observed in these phosphors suggests their potential as red emitting phosphors for near ultra-violet light emitting diodes.     

Eu/Tb ions co-doped white light luminescence Y2O3 phosphors

Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ phosphors with white emission are prepared with different doping concentration of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions and synthesizing temperatures from 750 to 950 °C by the co-precipitation method. The resulted phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results of XRD indicate that the crystallinity of the synthesized samples increases with enhancing the firing temperature. The photoluminescence spectra indicate the Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped Y₂O₃ phosphors show five main emission peaks: three at 590, 611 and 629 nm originate from Eu³⁺ and two at 481 and 541 nm originate from Tb³⁺, under excitation of 250-320 nm irradition. The white light luminescence color could be changed by varying the excitation wavelength. Different concentrations of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions were induced into the Y₂O₃ lattice and the energy transfer from Tb³⁺→Eu³⁺ ions in these phosphors was found. The Commission International de l’Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity shows that the Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ phosphors can obtain an intense white emission.     

Luminescent properties of R2(MoO4)3:Eu (R=La, Y, Gd) phosphors prepared by sol-gel process

A series of red phosphors R_0.8Eu_1.2(MoO₄)₃ (R=La, Y, and Gd) have been synthesized by sol-gel method. The crystallization processes of the phosphor precursors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and the properties of these resulting phosphors have also been characterized by photoluminescence (PL) spectra and reflectance spectra. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was also used to characterize the shape and the size of the samples. The results of TG-DTA and XRD indicated that all of the R_0.8Eu_1.2(MoO₄)₃ (R=La, Y, and Gd) phosphors crystallized completely at 650 °C. Y_0.8Eu_1.2(MoO₄)₃ and Gd_0.8Eu_1.2(MoO₄)₃ have two structures, monoclinic and orthorhombic, while La_0.8Eu_1.2(MoO₄)₃ only adopts monoclinic structure. The luminescent properties of phosphors R_0.8Eu_1.2(MoO₄)₃ (R=La, Y, and Gd) are dependent on their structures to some extent. The orthorhombic Y_0.8Eu_1.2(MoO₄)₃ and Gd_0.8Eu_1.2(MoO₄)₃ phosphors show very similar luminescent properties, which differ from those of phosphors with monoclinic structure. For all of R_0.8Eu_1.2(MoO₄)₃ (R=La, Y, and Gd) phosphors, intense red emission is obtained by exciting at ∼394 and ∼465 nm which are owing to the sharp ⁷F₀→⁵L₆ and ⁷F₀→⁵D₂ lines of Eu³⁺. Two strongest lines at 394 and 465 nm in excitation spectra of these phosphors match well with the two popular emissions from near-UV and blue GaN-based LEDs, so they could be used as red components for white light-emitting diodes.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of red-emitting phosphors NaY0.87Eu0.13(WO4)1.2(MoO4)0.8

A series of NaY_1−yEu_y(WO₄)_2−x(MoO₄)_x (x=0−2 and y=0.06−0.15) phosphors have been prepared by a combustion route. X-ray powder diffraction, photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra were used to characterize the resulting samples. The excitation spectra of these phosphors show the strongest absorption at about 396 nm, which matches well with the commercially available n-UV-emitting GaN-based LED chip. Their emission spectra show an intense red emission at 616 nm due to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ electric dipole transition of Eu³⁺. As the Mo content increases, the intensity of the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ emission of Eu³⁺ activated at wavelength of 396 nm increases and reaches a maximum when the relative ratio of Mo/W is 2:3. The intense red-emission of the tungstomolybdate phosphors at near-UV excitation suggests that the material is a potential candidate for white light emitting diode (WLEDs).     

Novel green-emitting Na2CaPO4F:Eu phosphors for near-ultraviolet white light-emitting diodes

In this study, green-emitting Na₂CaPO₄F:Eu²⁺ phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reactions. The excitation spectra of the phosphors showed a broad hump between 250 and 450 nm; the spectra match well with the near-ultraviolet (NUV) emission spectra of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The emission spectrum showed an intense broad emission band centered at 506 nm. White LEDs were fabricated by integrating a 390 nm NUV chip comprising blue-emitting BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺, green-emitting Na₂CaPO₄F:0.02 Eu²⁺, and red-emitting CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺ phosphors into a single package; the white LEDs exhibited white light with a correlated color temperature of 5540 K, a color-rendering index of 90.75, and color coordinates (0.332, 0.365) close to those of ideal white light.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel red emitting nanocrystal Gd6WO12:Eu phosphors

Novel nanosized Gd₆WO₁₂:Eu³⁺ phosphors were synthesized via a co-precipitation reaction. The crystal structure and morphology of the phosphors were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). It was found that the resultant powders show a regular and sphere-like shape with average particle size of 60 nm. Intrinsic red emission originating from Eu³⁺ was observed while excited at the W⁶⁺→O²⁻ and Eu³⁺→O²⁻ charge transfer bands or f-f absorption bands. The color coordinates of the phosphors were calculated to be x=0.625, y=0.375. The concentration dependence of the luminescence was studied, and optimum doping concentration for obtaining maximum emitting intensity was confirmed to be around 12 mol%. It was also found that the electric dipole-dipole interaction plays an important role for quenching luminescence of Eu³⁺.     

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.     

Emission analysis of Tb:MgAl2O4 powder phosphor

This paper reports the emission analysis of green-emitting Tb³⁺-doped MgAl₂O₄ phosphors. Uniformity of the phase of the Tb³⁺-doped MgAl₂O₄ phosphor has been checked by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and show common bands existing in the results of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). This phosphor exhibits weak blue, orange emissions and a strong emission at λ_exci=350 nm. The blue and green-orange emissions are ascribed to ⁵D₃→⁷F_J and ⁵D₄→⁷F_J (where J=3-6) transitions of Tb³⁺ ions, respectively. These phosphors have shown a strong, more prominent green emission from ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ at 543 nm. The results have indicated that MgAl₂O₄:Tb³⁺ could be a potential candidate as agreen-emitting powder phosphor.     

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.     

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.     

Self-assembled CaMoO4 and CaMoO4:Eu hierarchical superstructures: Facile sonochemical route synthesis and tunable luminescent properties

Tetragonal CaMoO₄ and CaMoO₄:Eu³⁺ with various novel three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical architectures were successfully synthesized via a facile, efficient sonochemistry process in the absence of any surfactant or template. XRD, EDS, FE-SEM, and photoluminescence (PL) were employed to characterize the as-obtained products. It was found that morphology modulation could be easily realized by changing pH value of the precursor. The pH value of the precursor not only affected the substructures of the hierarchical structures, but also determined the size distributions of the final products. The formation mechanism for different hierarchical architectures was proposed on the basis of time-dependent experiments. The luminescence spectra showed that CaMoO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors can be effectively excited by the near ultraviolet (UV) (396 nm) and blue (466 nm) light, and exhibited strong red emission around 615 nm, which was attributed to the Eu³⁺⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition. Compared with Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor, CaMoO₄:Eu³⁺ is much more stable, efficient and suitable, therefore, this phosphors could be a promising red component for possible applications in the field of LEDs.     

Eu activated M6AlP5O20 (M=Sr/Ba/Mg) novel red phosphors

Eu³⁺ activated M₆AlP₅O₂₀ (where M=Sr/Ba/Mg) phosphors prepared by combustion synthesis and the completion of the synthesis was confirm by XRD (X-ray diffraction) patterns. The surface morphology studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) properties has been reported in this paper. The Eu³⁺ PL emission spectrum was observed in M₆AlP₅O₂₀ phosphors (where M=Sr/Ba/Mg) at 592 (orange) and 618 nm (red) region, the spectrum due to ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ and ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transitions at mercury free excitation, respectively. Its considerable emission intensity under 350 nm excitations makes it possible candidate materials as red component of tricolor luminescence materials and for near ultra violet light emitting diode (n-UVLED) phosphors.     

Unusual luminescence of octahedrally coordinated divalent europium ion in Cs2MP2O7 (M=Ca, Sr)

The excitation and emission spectra of octahedrally coordinated europium ion (Eu²⁺) ions in Cs₂M²⁺P₂O₇ (M²⁺=Ca, Sr) are reported and discussed. The remarkable features of the Eu²⁺ luminescence in these phosphate materials include (a) very large Stokes shift of emission (∼1 eV), (b) high luminescence quenching temperature, and (c) unusually low energy of the emitted photons for Eu²⁺ luminescence in phosphate-based materials. The broad emission bands of Eu²⁺ in Cs₂CaP₂O₇ and Cs₂SrP₂O₇ peak at 607 and 563 nm, respectively. The Stokes shift, crystal field splitting, centroid shift and the red shift of the Eu²⁺ 4f⁶5d¹ electronic configuration have been estimated from the relevant optical data. The radiative lifetime of the Eu²⁺ emission in Cs₂M²⁺P₂O₇ is ∼1.2 μs. The nature of the Eu²⁺ emission in Cs₂M²⁺P₂O₇ is discussed and arguments are presented to associate the luminescence with an extreme case of normal 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷[⁸S_7/2] emission.