Investigation on luminescence properties of Eu2+‐doped Ba3Al2O5Cl2 phosphor for near‐UV‐excited white LEDs

Ba₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺ phosphor was prepared by combustion synthesis (CS). The prepared phosphor was excited at 329 nm; the phosphors shows an efficient bluish‐green wide‐band emission centred at 490 nm, which originates from the 4f⁶d¹ → 4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺ ions. The excitation spectra of the phosphors have a band centred at 329 nm. It was also characterized by XRD, FT–IR for confirmation of phase purity, and FT–IR analysis indicated the vibrations of metal–oxygen (M–O) groups. SEM shows the morphology of the phosphor at the submicron scale. The results indicate that Ba₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺ phosphor may be applicable for solid‐state lighting purposes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Luminescence properties of a novel red phosphor 6LaPO4–3La3PO7–2La7P3O18:Eu3+

Eu³⁺‐doped 6LaPO₄–3La₃PO₇–2La₇P₃O₁₈ red luminescent phosphors were synthesized by co‐deposition and high‐temperature solid‐state methods and its polyphase state was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. Transmission electron microscopy showed the grain morphology as a mixture of rods and spheres. Luminescence properties of the phosphor were investigated and its red emission parameters were evaluated as a function of Eu³⁺ concentration (3.00–6.00 mol%). Excitation spectra of 6LaPO₄–3La₃PO₇–2La₇P₃O₁₈:Eu³⁺ showed strong absorption bands at 280, 395, and 466 nm, while the luminescence spectra exhibited prominent red emission peak centred at 615 nm (⁵D₀→⁷F₂) in the red region. CIE chromaticity coordinates of the 6LaPO₄–3La₃PO₇–2La₇P₃O₁₈:5%Eu³⁺ phosphor were (0.668, 0.313) in the red region, and defined its potential application as a red phosphor.     

Luminescence studies on Al4B2O9:Eu2+ phosphor crystals

A novel blue‐emitting phosphor, Eu²⁺‐doping Al₄B₂O₉, was prepared via a modified solid‐state reaction. Al₄B₂O₉:Eu²⁺ nanoparticles with diameters varying in a range from 20 to 50 nm were obtained using urea as an auxiliary reagent at the optimum temperature of 850°C. The crystallization and particle sizes of Al₄B₂O₉:Eu²⁺ were investigated using powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photoluminescence (PL) results showed that Al₄B₂O₉:Eu²⁺ phosphor could be efficiently excited by the ultraviolet region from 240 to 410 nm, exhibiting bright blue emission. Further investigation on concentration‐dependent emission spectra indicated that the Al_3.997B₂O₉:Eu²⁺_0.003 phosphor exhibited the strongest luminescent, and the relative PL intensity decreased with increasing Eu²⁺ concentration due to concentration quenching. In addition, the concentration quenching for the one‐Eu‐site emission centers was caused by the electric multipole–multipole interaction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Persistent luminescence of CaMgSi2O6:Eu2+,Dy3+ and CaMgSi2O6:Eu2+,Ce3+ phosphors prepared using the solid‐state reaction method

CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ and CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphors were synthesized using the solid‐state reaction method. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses were used to characterize the phosphors. The XRD results revealed that the synthesized CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ and CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphors were crystalline and are assigned to the monoclinic structure with a space group C2/c. The calculated crystal sizes of CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ and CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphors with a main (221) diffraction peak were 44.87 and 53.51 nm, respectively. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the proper preparation of the sample. The PL emission spectra of CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ and CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphors have a broad band peak at 444.5 and 466 nm, respectively, which is due to electronic transition from 4f⁶5d¹ to 4f⁷. The afterglow results indicate that the CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ phosphor has better persistence luminescence than the CaMgSi₂O₆:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ phosphor. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photoluminescent properties of Eu3+‐Eu2+ activated MAl2SixO2x + 4 (M = Mg,Ca, Sr,Ba) phosphors prepared in air

In this paper, MAl₂Si_xO_2x+4:Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ (Eu²⁺ + Eu³⁺ = 2%, molar ratio; M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) phosphors with different SiO₂ concentrations (the ratio of SiO₂ to MAl₂O₄ is n%, n = 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, respectively) were prepared by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction under atmospheric air conditions. Their structures and photoluminescent properties were systematically researched. The results indicate that Eu³⁺ ions have been reduced and Eu²⁺ ions are obtained in air through the self‐reduction mechanism. The alkaline earth metal ions and doping SiO₂ strongly affect the crystalline phase and photoluminescent properties of samples, including microstructures, relative intensity of Eu²⁺ to Eu³⁺, location of emission lines/bands. It is interesting and important that the emission color and intensities of europium‐doped various phosphors which consist of aluminosilicate matrices prepared under atmospheric air conditions could be modulated by changing the kinds of alkaline earth metal and the content of SiO₂.     

Luminescence and energy‐transfer properties of color‐tunable Ca2Mg0.25Al1.5Si1.25O7:Ce3+/Eu2+/Tb3+ phosphors for ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes

A series of Ca₂Mg_0.25Al_1.5Si_1.25O₇:Ce³⁺/Eu²⁺/Tb³⁺ phosphors was been prepared via a conventional high temperature solid‐state reaction and their luminescence properties were studied. The emission spectra of Ca₂Mg_0.25Al_1.5Si_1.25O₇:Ce³⁺,Eu²⁺ and Ca₂Mg_0.25Al_1.5Si_1.25O₇:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphors show not only a band due to Ce³⁺ ions (409 nm) but also as a band due to Eu²⁺ (520 nm) and Tb³⁺ (542 nm) ions. More importantly, the effective energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Eu²⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions was confirmed and investigated by emission/excitation spectra and luminescent decay behaviors. Furthermore, the energy level scheme and energy transfer mechanism were investigated and were demonstrated to be of resonant type via dipole–dipole (Ce³⁺ to Eu²⁺) and dipole–quadrupole (Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺) reactions, respectively. Under excitation at 350 nm, the emitting color could be changed from blue to green by adjusting the relative doping concentration of Ce³⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions as well as Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions. The above results indicate that Ca₂Mg_0.25Al_1.5Si_1.25O₇:Ce³⁺,Eu²⁺/Tb³⁺ are promising single‐phase blue‐to‐green phosphors for application in phosphor conversion white‐light‐emitting diodes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Physical and optical studies of Gd2O2S:Eu3+ nanophosphors by microwave irradiation and γ‐irradiation methods

Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors have been successfully synthesized using microwave irradiation and γ‐irradiation methods with polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a stabilizer. The physical and luminescence spectra were compared. The morphologies of both Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors were in the hexagonal phase and mainly consisted of spherical nanostructures with diameters of ~90 nm and ~50 nm for both microwave irradiation and γ‐irradiation methods. Upon 325 nm of ultraviolet (UV) light excitation, strong red emissions (626 nm) were observed for both methods; these emissions corresponded to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. However, Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors following microwave treatment showed better luminescence intensity than Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors treated with γ‐irradiation. This difference was attributed to the crystallinity phase and surface quenching effects of Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors. The reaction mechanisms of Gd₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors in both methods are discussed in detail.     

Synthesis and characterization of blue long‐lasting BaCa2Al8O15:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor

We have synthesized and characterized a new BaCa₂Al₈O₁₅:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ phosphor prepared by the combustion method. X‐ray diffraction, thermoluminescence, scanning electron microscope, time decay and optical spectral analysis photoluminescence excitation, emission spectra were used to characterize the phosphors. Broadband ultraviolet excited luminescence of the BaCa₂Al₈O₁₅:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ was observed in the blue region (λ_max = 435 nm) due to transitions from the 4f⁶5d¹ to the 4f⁷ configuration of the Eu²⁺ ion. Scanning electron microscopy has been used for exploring the morphological properties of the prepared phosphors. The BaCa₂Al₈O₁₅:Eu²⁺ phosphor has a blue afterglow when Dy³⁺ ions were co‐doped. The thermoluminescence spectra show that the Dy³⁺ ion induces a proper trap in the phosphor with a depth of 0.67 eV and results in a long afterglow phosphorescence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two‐ step synthesis and luminescent properties of BaB2O4:Eu3+ nano/microphosphors prepared from Ba‐B‐O:Eu3+ precursor

The BaB₂O₄:Eu³⁺ nano/microphosphors with sphere‐, rod‐, and granular‐like morphologies were successfully obtained by a two‐step method using Ba‐B‐O:Eu³⁺ as the precursor. The structure, morphology and photoluminescent properties of the products were characterized by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry‐differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL). The formation mechanisms of Ba‐B‐O:Eu³⁺ and BaB₂O₄:Eu³⁺ were proposed. The results show that the BaB₂O₄:Eu³⁺ could retain the original morphologies of their respective precursors largely. The BaB₂O₄:Eu³⁺ prepared by this two‐step method exhibited better morphology, smaller particle size and better crystallinity than when prepared by a solid‐state method. The granular‐like BaB₂O₄:Eu³⁺ red phosphor prepared by this two‐step method exhibited stronger PL intensity and better red color purity than when prepared by a solid‐state method.     

Study on luminescence properties of Ce3+ and Eu3+ ions in a nanocrystalline hexagonal Zn4Al22O37 novel system

The present communication is strongly focused on the investigation of synthesis, structural and luminescence properties of cerium (Ce³⁺)- and europium (Eu³⁺)-activated Zn₄Al₂₂O₃₇ phosphors. Ce³⁺- and Eu³⁺-doped Zn₄Al₂₂O₃₇ novel phosphors were prepared using a solution combustion synthesis route. Structural properties were studied using powder X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transverse electron microscopy. The optical properties were studied using ultraviolet–visible light spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; luminescence properties were studied using a photoluminescence (PL) technique. The crystal structure of the prepared Zn₄Al₂₂O₃₇ host and Ce³⁺- and Eu³⁺-activated Zn₄Al₂₂O₃₇ phosphors was investigated and was found to have a hexagonal structure. The measured PL emission spectrum of the Ce³⁺-doped Zn₄Al₂₂O₃₇ phosphor showed an intense and broad emission band centred at 421 nm under a 298 nm excitation wavelength. By contrast, the Eu³⁺-doped Zn₄Al₂₂O₃₇ phosphor exhibited two strong and intense emission bands at approximately 594 nm (orange) and 614 nm (red), which were monitored under 395 nm excitation. The Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) colour coordinates of the Ce³⁺-doped Zn₄Al₂₂O₃₇ were investigated and found to be x = 0.1567, y = 0.0637 (blue) at 421 nm and for Eu³⁺-doped Zn₄Al₂₂O₃₇ were x = 0.6018, y = 0.3976 (orange) at 594 nm and x = 0.6779, y = 0.3219 (red) at 614 nm emission. The luminescence behaviour of the synthesized phosphors suggested that these phosphors may be used in lighting applications.     

Luminescence properties of barium – gadolinium–titanate ceramics doped with rare‐earth ions (Eu3+ and Tb3+)

Barium‐gadolinium‐titanate (BaGd₂Ti₄O₁₂) powder ceramics doped with rare‐earth ions (Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺) were synthesized by a solid‐state reaction method. From the X‐ray diffraction spectrum, it was observed that Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺:BaGd₂Ti₄O₁₂ powder ceramics are crystallized in the form of an orthorhombic structure. Scanning electron microscopy image shows that the particles are agglomerated and the particle size is about 200 nm. Eu³⁺‐ and Tb³⁺‐doped BaGd₂Ti₄O₁₂ powder ceramics were examined by energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence and thermoluminescence (TL) spectra. Emission spectra of Eu³⁺‐doped BaGd₂Ti₄O₁₂ powder ceramics showed bright red emission at 613 nm (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂) with an excitation wavelength λ_exci = 408 nm (⁷F₀ → ⁵D₃) and Tb³⁺:BaGd₂Ti₄O₁₂ ceramic powder has shown green emission at 534 nm (⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅) with an excitation wavelength λ_exci = 331 nm ((⁷F₆ → ⁵D₁). TL spectra show that Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions affect TL sensitivity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of blue‐emitting phosphor Ca12Al14O32F2:Eu2+ for white light‐emitting diode

A blue‐emitting phosphor Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₂F₂:Eu²⁺ was synthesized using a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction under a reductive atmosphere. The X‐ray diffraction measurements indicate that a pure phase Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₂F₂:Eu²⁺ can be obtained for low doping concentration of Eu²⁺. The phosphor has a strong absorption in the range 270–420 nm with a maximum at ~340 nm and blue emission in the range 400–500 nm with chromatic coordination of (0.152, 0.045). The optimal doping concentration is ~0.24. In addition, the luminescence properties of the as‐synthesized phosphor were evaluated by comparison with those of Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₂Cl₂:Eu²⁺ and the commercially available phosphor BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺. The emission intensity of Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₂F₂:Eu²⁺ was ~72% that of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ under excitation at λ = 375 nm. The results indicate that Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₂F₂:Eu²⁺ has potential application as a near‐UV‐convertible blue phosphor for white light‐emitting diodes.     

Luminescence properties of red‐emission Mg4Nb2O9:Eu3+ phosphor

Red‐emitting Mg₄Nb₂O₉:Eu³⁺ phosphor is synthesized via a solid‐state reaction method in air, and its crystal structure and luminescence are investigated. The phosphor can be excited efficiently by ~ 395 nm light, coupled well with a ~ 395 nm near‐ultraviolet chip and emits red light at ~ 613 nm with sharp spectra due to ⁵D₀ → ⁷ F₂ transition of the Eu³⁺ ion. Mg₄Nb₂O₉:Eu³⁺ phosphor sintered at 1350 ºC shows Commission international de I'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of x = 0.6354, y = 0.3592, and is a potential red‐emitting phosphor candidate for white light‐emitting diodes (W‐LEDs) under ~ 395 nm near‐ultraviolet LED chip excitation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and luminescence study of Eu3+‐doped SrYAl3O7 phosphor

Rare‐earth ions play an important role in eco‐friendly solid‐state lighting for the lighting industry. In the present study we were interested in Eu³⁺ ion‐doped inorganic phosphors for near ultraviolet (UV) excited light‐emitting diode (LED) applications. Eu³⁺ ion‐activated SrYAl₃O₇ phosphors were prepared using a solution combustion route at 550°C. Photoluminescence characterization of SrYAl₃O₇:Eu³⁺ phosphors showed a 612 nm emission peak in the red region of the spectrum due to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions under excitation at 395 nm in the near‐UV region and at the 466 nm blue excitation wavelength. These red and blue emissions are supported for white light generation for LED lighting. Structure, bonding between each element of the sample and morphology of the sample were analysed using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that the samples were crystallized in a well known structure. The phosphor was irradiated with a ⁶⁰Co‐γ (gamma) source at a dose rate of 7.2 kGy/h. Thermoluminescence (TL) studies of these Eu³⁺‐doped SrYAl₃O₇ phosphors were performed using a Nucleonix TL 1009I TL reader. Trapping parameters of this phosphor such as activation energy (E), order of kinetics (b) and frequency factor (s) were calculated using Chen's peak shape method, the initial rise method and Ilich's method.     

Photoluminescence properties of Ca2Al2O5:RE3+ (RE = Eu,Dy and Tb) phosphors for solid state lighting

Ca₂Al₂O₅:Eu³⁺, Ca₂Al₂O₅:Dy³⁺ and Ca₂Al₂O₅:Tb³⁺ phosphors were synthesized using a combustion synthesis method. The prepared phosphors were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction for phase purity, by scanning electron microscopy for morphology, and by photoluminescence for emission and excitation measurements. The Ca₂Al₂O₅:Eu³⁺ phosphors could be efficiently excited at 396 nm and showed red emission at 594 nm and 616 nm due to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transitions. Dy³⁺‐doped phosphors showed blue emission at 482 nm and yellow emission at 573 nm. Ca₂Al₂O₅:Tb³⁺ phosphors showed emission at 545 nm when excited at 352 nm. Concentration quenching occurred in both Eu³⁺ and Dy³⁺phosphors at 0.5 mol%. Photoluminescence results suggested that the aluminate‐based phosphor could be a potential candidate for application in environmentally friendly based lighting technologies.     

The structure and luminescence properties of Mn2+/Eu2+/Er3+‐doped MgO‐Ga2O3‐SiO2 glasses and glass‐ceramics

The MgO–Ga₂O₃–SiO₂ glasses and glass‐ceramics samples doped with Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺/Er³⁺ and heated in reductive atmosphere were prepared by the sol–gel method. The structure, morphology and the luminescence properties were studied using X‐ray diffraction, high‐resolution transmission electron microscope, fluorescence spectra, and up‐conversion emission. The luminescence characteristics of doped ions could be influenced by temperature and matrix component. The characteristic emission of Mn²⁺, Eu²⁺ and Er³⁺ were seen and the energy transfer efficiency from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ was enhanced as Mn²⁺ concentration was increased. In addition, the two‐photon process was determined for the Er³⁺‐doped samples.     

Photoluminescence properties of a novel phosphor CaB2O4:Eu3+ under NUV excitation

The new borate phosphor CaB₂O₄:Eu³⁺ was synthesized by solid‐state method and their photoluminescence properties were investigated. The results show that the pure phase of CaB₂O₄ could be available at 900°C, CaB₂O₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor could be effectively excited by the near ultraviolet light (NUV) (392 nm), and the luminescent intensity of CaB₂O₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor reached to the highest when the doped‐Eu³⁺ content was 4 mol%. The emission spectra of CaB₂O₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor could exhibit red emission at 612 nm and orange emission at 588 nm, which are ascribed to the ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ and ⁵D₀–⁷F₁ transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural,morphological and steady state photoluminescence spectroscopy studies of red Eu3+‐doped Y2O3 nanophosphors prepared by the sol‐gel method

Europium trivalent (Eu³⁺)‐doped Y₂O₃ nanopowders of different concentrations (0.5, 2.5, 5 or 7 at.%) were synthesized by the sol‐gel method, at different pH values (pH 2, 5 or 8) and annealing temperatures (600°C, 800°C or 1000°C). The nanopowders samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and steady state photoluminescence spectroscopy. The effect of pH of solution and annealing temperatures on structural, morphological and photoluminescence properties of Eu³⁺‐doped Y₂O₃ were studied and are discussed. It was found that the average crystallite size of the nanopowders increased with increasing pH and annealing temperature values. The Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ material presented different morphology and its evolution depended on the pH value and the annealing temperature. Activation energies at different pH values were determined and are discussed. Under ultraviolet (UV) light excitation, Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ showed narrow emission peaks corresponding to the ⁵D_0–⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2 and 3) transitions of the Eu³⁺ ion, with the most intense red emission at 611 assigned to forced electric dipole ⁵D₀→⁷F₂. The emission intensity became more intense with increasing annealing temperature and pH values, related to the improvement of crystalline quality. For the 1000°C annealing temperature, the emission intensity presented a maximum at pH 5 related to the uniform cubic‐shaped particles. It was found that for lower annealing temperatures (small crystallite size) the CTB (charge transfer band) position presented a red shift. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Luminescence studies on Ba2ZnSi2O7 : Eu2+ phosphors crystals

A novel blue green‐emitting phosphor Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇ : Eu²⁺ was prepared by combustion synthesis method and an efficient bluish green emission under from ultraviolet to visible light was observed. The emission spectrum shows a single intensive band centered at 503 nm, which corresponds to the 4f⁶5d¹ → 4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺. The excitation spectrum is a broad band extending from 260 to 465 nm, which matches the emission of ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes (UV‐LEDs). The effect of doped Eu²⁺ concentration on the emission intensity of Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇ : Eu²⁺ was also investigated. The result indicates that Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇ : Eu²⁺ can be potentially useful as a UV radiation‐converting phosphor for white light‐emitting diodes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel blue‐emitting SrMg2Al16O27:Eu2+ phosphor for solid‐state lighting

Eu²⁺‐activated SrMg₂Al₁₆O₂₇ novel phosphor was synthesized by a combustion method (550°C furnace). The prepared phosphor was first characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) for confirmation of phase purity. SEM analysis showed the morphology of the phosphor. The photoluminescence characteristics showed broad‐band excitation at 324 nm, which was monitored at 465 nm emission wavelength. The SrMg₂Al₁₆O₂₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor shows broad blue emission centred at 465 nm, emitting a blue light corresponding to 4f⁶5d¹ → 4f⁷ transition. Here we report the photoluminescence characteristics of the prepared phosphor and compare it with commercial BAM:Eu²⁺ phosphor. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.