Eu2+‐induced enhancement of defect luminescence of ZnS

The Eu²⁺‐induced enhancement of defect luminescence of ZnS was studied in this work. While photoluminescence (PL) spectra exhibited 460 nm and 520 nm emissions in both ZnS and ZnS:Eu nanophosphors, different excitation characteristics were shown in their photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra. In ZnS nanophosphors, there was no excitation signal in the PLE spectra at the excitation wavelength λ_ex > 337 nm (the bandgap energy 3.68 eV of ZnS); while in ZnS:Eu nanophosphors, two excitation bands appeared that were centered at 365 nm and 410 nm. Compared with ZnS nanophosphors, the 520 nm emission in the PL spectra was relatively enhanced in ZnS:Eu nanophosphors and, furthermore, in ZnS:Eu nanophosphors the 460 nm and 520 nm emissions increased more than 10 times in intensity. The reasons for these differences were analyzed. It is believed that the absorption of Eu²⁺ intra‐ion transition and subsequent energy transfer to sulfur vacancy, led to the relative enhancement of the 520 nm emission in ZnS:Eu nanophosphors. In addition, more importantly, Eu²⁺ acceptor‐bound excitons are formed in ZnS:Eu nanophosphors and their excited levels serve as the intermediate state of electronic relaxation, which decreases non‐radiative electronic relaxation and thus increases the intensity of the 460 nm and 520 nm emission dramatically. In summary, the results in this work indicate a new mechanism for the enhancement of defect luminescence of ZnS in Eu²⁺‐doped ZnS nanophosphors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photoluminescence imaging of europium (III)‐doped γ‐Al2O3 nanofiber structures

Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) has widely been used for catalysts, insulators, and composite materials for diverse applications. Herein, we demonstrated if γ‐Al₂O₃ was useful as a luminescence support material for europium (Eu) (III) activator ion. The hydrothermal method and post‐thermal treatment at 800°C were employed to synthesize Eu(III)‐doped γ‐Al₂O₃ nanofibre structures. Luminescence characteristics of Eu(III) ions in Al₂O₃ matrix were fully understood by taking 2D and 3D‐photoluminescence imaging profiles. Various sharp emissions between 580 to 720 nm were assigned to the ⁵D₀→⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions of Eu(III) activators. On the basis of X‐ray diffraction crystallography, Auger elemental mapping and the asymmetry ratio, Eu(III) ions were found to be well doped into the γ‐Al₂O₃ matrix at a low (1 mol%) doping level. A broad emission at 460 nm was substantially increased upon higher (2 mol%) Eu(III) doping due to defect creation. The first 3D photoluminescence imaging profiles highlight detailed understanding of emission characteristics of Eu(III) ions in Al oxide‐based phosphor materials and their potential applications.     

Novel low-temperature synthesis of Y2–xO3:Eux3+ nanophosphor using combustion with thioglycerol as fuel for near-UV light-emitting diodes

Luminescent materials used in flat panel displays, compact fluorescent lamps, and light-emitting diodes require high purity, uniform particle size, clean surfaces, spherical shape, and dense morphology to ensure long-term stability. Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ is a widely studied red phosphor known for its characteristic photoluminescence (PL) emission at 613 nm with near-UV excitation at 392 nm. Many methods have been explored to synthesize Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanoparticles with exceptional purity, consistent phases, and uniform particle sizes. The aim is to synthesize particles with pristine surfaces, spherical shape, and compact morphology. This study focuses on the low-temperature synthesis and PL investigation of Y_2–xO₃:Eu_x³⁺ nanophosphors using combustion with thioglycerol as fuel. The results are compared with Y_2–xO₃:Eu_x³⁺ red nanophosphors synthesized using wet chemical and nitrate combustion methods. The PL characteristics of the Y_2–xO₃:Eu_x³⁺ nanophosphors were analyzed using PL emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. These findings highlight the advantageous properties of the synthesized nanophosphors, such as their suitability for solid-state lighting applications in the lamp industry as highly efficient red phosphors. The combination of high purity, uniform particle size, clean surfaces, spherical shape, and dense morphology contributes to their potential for long-term stability and reliable performance in lighting devices.     

Eu3+–Eu2+‐doped xAl2O3–ySiO2 and xAl2O3–zMgO composites phosphors

In this paper, the Eu³⁺–Eu²⁺ (4%, molar ratio)‐doped xAl₂O₃–ySiO₂ (x = 0–2.5, y = 1–5) and xAl₂O₃–zMgO (x = 0–1.5, z = 0–3) composites phosphors with different Al₂O₃ to SiO₂ (A/S) and Al₂O₃ to MgO (A/M) ratios were prepared using a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction under air atmosphere. The effects of the A/S and A/M on luminescence properties, crystal structure, electron spin resonance, and Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates of the samples were systematically analyzed. These results indicated that the different A/S and A/M ratios in the matrix effectively affected the crystal phase, degrees of self‐reduction of Eu³⁺, and led the relative emission intensity of Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ to change and adjust.     

Influence of Er3+ concentration on the photoluminescence characteristics and excitation mechanism of Gd2O3:Er3+ phosphor synthesized via a solid‐state reaction method

An Er³⁺‐doped phosphor of Gd₂O₃ (Gd₂O₃:Er³⁺) was prepared using a conventional solid‐state reaction method. The structure and particle size were determined from X‐ray powder diffraction measurements. The average particle size of the phosphor was in between 20 and 50 nm. The particle size and structure of the phosphor were further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Luminescence spectra were recorded under excitation wavelengths of 275, 380, 515 and 980 nm. The visible upconversion and downconversion luminescence spectra of the Gd₂O₃:Er³⁺ phosphor were investigated as a function of Er³⁺ ion concentration. The upconverted emission at 980 nm excitation shows enhanced red emission with respect to green emission as the dopant concentration increased. Similar results were observed for downconversion emission under 275 and 380 nm excitation wavelengths. The mechanisms responsible for populating the ⁴S_3/2 and ⁴ F_9/2 levels, for green and red emissions, respectively, are different for different excitations and for different concentrations of Er³⁺. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low temperature-synthesized MgAl2O4:Eu3+ nanophosphors and their structural validations using density functional theory: photoluminescence,photocatalytic, and electrochemical properties for multifunctional applications

A low temperature-assisted and oxalyl dihydrazide fuel-induced combustion synthesized series of uncalcined MgAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors showed an average crystallite size of ~20 nm, and bandgap energy (E_g) of 4.50–5.15 eV, and were validated using density functional theory and found to match closely with the experimental values. The photoluminescence characteristic emission peaks of Eu³⁺ ions were recorded between 480 and 680 nm. The nanophosphors excited at 392 nm showed f–f transitions assigned as ⁵D₀→⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2, and 3). The optimized MgAl₂O₄ phosphors had Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates in the red region, a correlated colour temperature of 2060 K, and a colour purity of 98.83%. The estimated luminescence quantum efficiency ( $\eta$) was observed to be ~63% using Judd–Ofelt analysis. Electrochemical and photocatalytic performance were explored and indicated its multifunctional applications. Therefore, MgAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors could be used for the fabrication of light-emitting diodes, industrial dye degradation, and as electrodes for supercapacitor applications.     

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.     

Mechanoluminescence,thermoluminescence, photoluminescence studies on Ca3Y2Si3O12:RE3+ (RE3+ = Dy3+and Eu3+) phosphors

Dy³⁺ and Eu³⁺ activated Ca₃Y₂Si₃O₁₂ phosphors were synthesized by the solid‐state synthesis method. The phosphors were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), mechanoluminescence (ML), thermoluminescence (TL) and photoluminescence (PL) to determine structure and luminescence. For ML glow curves, only one peak was observed, as only one type of luminescence centre was formed during irradiation. The Ca₃Y₂Si₃O₁₂:Dy³⁺ TL glow curve showed a single peak at 151.55°C and the Ca₃Y₂Si₃O₁₂:Eu³⁺ TL glow curve peaked at 323°C with a small peak at 192°C, indicating that two types of traps were activated. The trapping parameters for both the samples were calculated using Chen's peak shape method. Dy³⁺‐activated Ca₃Y₂Si₃O₁₂ showed emission at 482 and 574 nm when excited by a 351 nm excitation wavelength, whereas the Eu³⁺‐activated Ca₃Y₂Si₃O₁₂ phosphor PL emission spectra showed emission peaks at 613 nm, 591 nm, 580 nm when excited at 395 nm wavelength. When excited at 466 nm, prominent emission peaks were observed at their respective positions with very slight shifts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy transfer induced white‐light‐emitting phosphor by co‐doping Ce3+, Tb3+ and Mn2+ into the single Ba9Lu2Si6O24 host

In the Ba₉Lu₂Si₆O₂₄ (BLS) host, Ce³⁺ shows cyan emissions peaking at 490 nm under 400 nm excitations. BLS:Tb³⁺ only can be effectively excited by 254 nm light and gives rise to green emissions at 553 nm. However, both the cyan and green emissions can be obtained in BLS:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ under 400 nm excitations due to effective energy transfers from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺. BLS:Mn²⁺ shows red emissions peaking at 610 nm under 414 nm excitations. By co‐doping Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Mn²⁺, tunable full‐color emissions were obtained. The BLS:0.3Ce³⁺,0.6Tb³⁺,0.15Mn²⁺ single phosphor exhibits a white light with a high color rendering index of 85 and a correlated color temperature of 5480 K under 400 nm excitation.     

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.     

Sol–gel synthesis and luminescence property of Sr4Al2O7:Re3+,R+ (Re = Eu and Dy; R = Li,Na and K) phosphors for white LEDs

Sr₄Al₂O₇:Eu³⁺ and Sr₄Al₂O₇:Dy³⁺ phosphors with alkali metal substitution were prepared using a sol–gel method. The effects of a charge compensator R on the structure and luminescence of Sr₄Al₂O₇:Re³⁺,R⁺ (Re = Eu and Dy; R = Li, Na and K) phosphors were investigated in detail. Upon heating to 1400°C, the structure of the prepared samples was that of the standard phase of Sr₄Al₂O₇. Under ultraviolet excitation, all Sr₄Al₂O₇:Eu³⁺,R⁺ samples exhibited several narrow emission peaks ranging from 550 to 700 nm due to the 4f → 4f transition of Eu³⁺ ions. All Sr₄Al₂O₇:Dy³⁺,R⁺ phosphors showed two emission peaks at 492 and 582 nm, due to the ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 transitions of Dy³⁺ ions, respectively. The luminescence intensity of Sr₄Al₂O₇:Re³⁺,R⁺ (Re = Eu and Dy; R = Li, Na and K) phosphors improved markedly upon the addition of charge compensators, promoting their application in white light‐emitting diodes with a near‐ultraviolet chip.     

Structural,Morphological and Photoluminescence Studies of Pure ZrO2 and ZrO2: Eu+3 Nanophosphors Synthesised by Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Technique

The luminescence properties of pure and ZrO₂: Eu⁺³ nanophosphors with different concentration of the Eu⁺³ is synthesised and studied. A novel and environment benign microwave-induced hydrothermal process is used to synthesise the nanoparticles. As-formed pure ZrO₂ nanoparticles were X-ray amorphous, and upon calcination at higher temperatures, they crystallise to a combination of both cubic and tetragonal phases. However, the ZrO₂: Eu⁺³ nanophosphors prepared through the same technique under similar conditions yield exclusively cubic ZrO_2, and it entirely depends on the concentration of Eu⁺³ as revealed by XRD studies. The nanoparticles are found to be spherical, non-porous and agglomerated as observed by SEM. The surface area of the nanoparticles of pure ZrO₂ is found to be 30 m²/g for as-formed samples and 130 m²/g for calcined samples by BET studies. The increase in the surface area for calcined sample is due to the escaping of the adsorbed hydroxyl groups from the surface of the nanoparticles. The photoluminescence properties of the pure and Eu⁺³-doped ZrO₂ nanoparticles were measured under 251 nm excitation wavelength. Under this excitation, pure ZrO₂ gives the emissions at 394 nm, whereas Eu⁺³-doped nanoparticles gives the emissions at 613 nm, which corresponds to inter-f-f transition from ⁵D₀ ➔⁷F₂ (613 nm) and is arising due to electronic dipole in the Eu⁺³ activator ion. CIE colour space (x, y) coordinates corresponding to 613 nm in the CIE chromaticity diagram is 0.680, 0.319.

Graphical Abstract

     

Insights into the discrepant luminescence for BaSiO3:Eu2+ phosphors prepared by solid‐state reaction and precipitation reaction methods

Two synthesis routes, solid‐state reaction and precipitation reaction, were employed to prepare BaSiO₃:Eu²⁺ phosphors in this study. Discrepancies in the luminescence green emission at 505 nm for the solid‐state reaction method sample and in the yellow emission at 570 nm for the sample prepared by the precipitation reaction method, were observed respectively. A detail investigation about the discrepant luminescence of BaSiO₃:Eu²⁺ phosphors was performed by evaluation of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL)/photoluminescence excitation (PLE), decay time and thermal quenching properties. The results showed that the yellow emission was generated from the BaSiO₃:Eu²⁺ phosphor, while the green emission was ascribed to a small amount of Ba₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ compound that was present in the solid‐state reaction sample. This work clarifies the luminescence properties of Eu²⁺ ions in BaSiO₃ and Ba₂SiO₄ hosts.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of novel BaGd2O4:Eu3+ scintillating phosphor

BaGd_2‐xO₄:xEu³⁺ and Ba_1‐yGd_1.79‐2yEu_0.21Na_3yO₄ phosphors were synthesized at 1300°C in air by conventional solid‐state reaction method. Phosphors were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra and thermoluminescence (TL) spectra. Optimal PL intensity for BaGd_2‐xO₄:xEu³⁺ and Ba_1‐yGd_1.79‐2yEu_0.21Na_3yO₄ phosphors at 276 nm excitation were found to be x = 0.24 and y = 0.125, respectively. The PL intensity of Eu³⁺ emission could only be enhanced by 1.3 times with incorporation of Na⁺ into the BaGd₂O₄ host. Enhanced luminescence was attributed to the flux effect of Na⁺ ions. However, when BaGd₂O₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors were codoped with Na⁺ ions, the induced defects confirmed by TL spectra impaired the emission intensity of Eu³⁺ ions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optical properties of Eu2+/Eu3+ mixed valence phosphor Ca2SiO2F2:Eu2+/Eu3+

The Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ mixed valence phosphor Ca₂SiO₂F₂:Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ was prepared using a solid‐state reaction synthesis method in a CO atmosphere, and the optical properties were investigated. The spectroscopic properties revealed that Ca²⁺ ions were occupied by both Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions in Ca₂SiO₂F₂, and both ions were able to generate their characteristic emissions. A broad 5d → 4f Eu²⁺ band at ~470 nm and narrow 4f → 4f Eu³⁺ peaks upon excitation with n‐UV light were observed. The ratio between Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ emissions changed regularly, and the relative intensity of the red component from Eu³⁺ became systematically stronger with increasing overall Eu content. As a result, the emission color of these phosphors can be tunable from blue to pink under n‐UV light excitation.     

Luminescence study of LiMgBO3:Dy for γ‐ray and carbon ion beam exposure

LiMgBO₃:Dy³⁺, a low Z_eff material was prepared using the solution combustion method and its luminescence properties were studied using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermoluminescence (TL), photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. Reitvield refinement was also performed for the structural studies. The PL emission spectra for LiMgBO₃:Dy³⁺ consisted of two peaks at 478 due to the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 magnetic dipole transition and at 572 nm due to the hypersensitive ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 electric dipole transition of Dy³⁺, respectively. A TL study was carried out for both the γ‐ray‐irradiated sample and the C⁵⁺ irradiated samples and was found to show high sensitivity for both. Moreover the γ‐ray‐irradiated LiMgBO₃:Dy³⁺ sample showed linearity in the dose range 10 Gy to 1 kGy and C⁵⁺‐irradiated samples show linearity in the fluence range 2 × 10¹⁰ to 1 × 10¹¹ ions/cm². In the present study, the initial rise method, various heating rate method, the whole glow curve method, glow curve convolution deconvolution function, and Chen's peak shape method were used to calculate kinetic parameters to understand the TL glow curve mechanism in detail. Finally, an EPR study was performed to examine the radicals responsible for the TL process.     

Luminescence study of Dy or Ce activated LiCaBO3 phosphor for γ‐ray and C5+ ion beam irradiation

The photoluminescence and thermoluminescence characteristics of rare earths (Dy or Ce) activated LiCaBO₃ phosphors have been studied. Phosphors were synthesized by modified solid state synthesis. The phosphors were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) for structural, morphological and luminescence studies. Dy³⁺ activated LiCaBO₃ shows emission at 486 and 577 nm due to ⁴ F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 and ⁴ F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 transition, respectively, whereas the PL emission spectra of Ce³⁺ activated LiCaBO₃ phosphor shows a broad band peaking at 432 nm, which is due to the transition from 5d level to the ground state of the Ce³⁺ ion. The thermoluminescence study was also carried out for both these phosphors for γ‐ray irradiation and carbon beam irradiation. Linearity was studied for a 0.4–3.1 Rad dose γ‐rays. Linear behaviour over this dose range was observed. Gamma ray‐irradiated phosphors were shown to be negligible fading upon storage. All the samples were also studied for 75 MeV C⁵⁺ ion beam exposure in the range of 3.75 × 10¹² – 7.5 × 10¹³ ion cm^–2 fluence. In addition to this, trapping parameters of all the samples were also calculated using Chen's peak shape method. Copyright © 2015 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.     

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.     

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.