Sol-gel fabrication and photoluminescence properties of SiO2@Gd2O3 : Eu3+ core-shell particles

A uniform nanolayer of europium-doped Gd2O3 was coated on the surface of preformed submicron silica spheres by a Pechini sol-gel process. The resulted SiO2@Gd2O3:Eu3+ core-shell structured phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays. The XRD results show that the Gd2O3:Eu3+ layers start to crystallize on the SiO2 spheres after annealing at 400 degrees C and the crystallinity increases with raising the annealing temperature. The core-shell phosphors possess perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size: 640 nm) and non-agglomeration. The thickness of the Gd2O3:Eu3+ shells on the SiO2 cores can be adjusted by changing the deposition cycles (70 nm for three deposition cycles). Under short UV excitation, the obtained SiO2@Gd2O3:Eu3+ particles show a strong red emission with D-5(0)-F-7(2) (610 nm) of Eu3+ as the most prominent group.The PL intensity of Eu3+ increases with increasing the annealing temperature and the number of coating cycles.

Synthesis and characterization of spherical Sr2CeO4 phosphors by spray pyrolysis for field emission displays

A blue emitting Sr2CeO4 phosphor with a one-dimensional structure has been prepared by a two-step spray pyrolysis (SP) method, starting from the aqueous solutions of metal nitrates with citric acid and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as additives. The material is ultimately designed for field emission displays (FEDs). X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), field emission scanning electron microscope pictures (FE-SEM) as well as photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy and lifetime measurements have been employed to characterize the samples. The morphology, PL and low voltage CL properties of Sr2CeO4 phosphors as-prepared using the SP method have been investigated by changing the concentration of the precursor solution, concentration of PEG, annealing temperature, acceleration voltage and filament current. The obtained Sr2CeO4 phosphor particles are spherical and of submicron size, 0.5-2 mu m. The emission spectrum of the phosphors shows a broad band with maximum at 467 nm (lifetime = 37.4 mu s; CIE chromaticity coordinates: x = 0.15 and y = 0.21), presumably due to a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transition.

Spectral properties of rare-earth ions in nanocrystalline YAG : Re (Re = Ce3+, Pr3+, Tb3+)

Bulk and nanoscale powders of YAG:Re (Re = Ce, Pr, Tb) were synthesized by solid-state and sol-gel method. The changes of spectra and energy level were studied. Compared with the bulk YAG:Re (Re = Ce, Pr, Tb) crystals, the lattice parameter of YAG:Re (Re = Ce, Pr, Tb) nanocrystals decreases. It is also found that the excitation peaks of 5d energy levels shift in nanocrystals. The physical reason for spectral and energy level changes is a comprehensive result from the shift of energy centroid of the 5d orbit, the Coulomb interaction between 4f and 5d electrons and the crystal field splitting of the 5d energy level.

A new luminescent material: Li2CaSiO4 : Eu2+

In our study, the Eu2+ doped Li2CaSiO4 phosphors were initially synthesized by high temperature solid state method, and their luminescent properties were also investigated. Eu2+ ions occupied 8-coordinatid distorted dodecahedral Ca sites, leading to strong crystal field splitting. The strong crystal field splitting made the broad excitation band extending from UV to visible region. In addition, the high concentration of Li+ ions in the structure constrained the distortion of the emission centers, then resulted in a small stokes shift, similar to 1100 cm(-1). Under excitation, the Li2CaSiO4:Eu2+ phosphors emitted bluish green light with peak of 480 nm, FWHM of 31 nm and color coordination of (0.06, 0.44). The Eu2+ doped Li2CaSiO4 phosphor would be suitable for bluish green phosphor of white LEDs due to its excellent excitation profile and chromaticity.

Coating nano-hemalite on (Y,Gd)BO3 : Eu3+ phosphors by a facile method

(Y, Gd) BO3:Eu3+ particles coated with nano-hematite were prepared by a facile method I for example (humid) solid phase reaction at room temperature. The resulted hematite-coated (Y, Gd)BO3:Eu3+ particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and photoluminescence spectra (PL). The SEM and EDS analyses indicate that the particles are coated with a very thin layer of iron oxide. XPS results further confirmed that the coating was hematite, and the coating thickness was in nanometer range. XRD patterns showed that either the hematite coating was too thin or the content of hematite was too small, so that the XRD cannot detect it. The emission spectra illustrate that the peak near 580 nm disappears due to the coating of iron oxide, and when the coating is very thin, the ratio of D-5(0)-> F-7(2) to D-5(2)-> F-7(1) of coated particles is higher than that of uncoated ones, which indicates that the color purity of the phosphor is increased by coating nano-hematite.

Effect of samarium on Mn activated zinc borosilicate storage glasses

Samarium and manganese co-doped zinc borosilicate storage glasses were prepared by high temperature solid state method. The effect of doping samarium on the defect of Mn activated sample was studied by means of thermoluminescence spectra. It was found that the shallower traps of the sample predominate with the addition of samarium, as a result, the phosphorescence and storage properties of the manganese doped zinc borosilicate glasses were greatly changed.

Sol-gel synthesis and photoluminescent properties of LaPO4 : A (A = Eu3+, Ce3+, Tb3+) nanocrystalline thin films

Rare-earth ion (Eu3+, Tb3+, Ce3+)- doped LaPO4 nanocrystalline thin films and their patterning were fabricated by a Pechini sol-gel process combined with soft lithography on silicon and silica glass substrates. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microcopy (SEM), optical microscopy, absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting films. The results of XRD indicate that the films begin to crystallize at 700 degreesC and the crystallinity increases with increasing annealing temperature. The morphology of the thin film depends on the annealing temperature and the number of coating layers. The 1000 degreesC annealed single layer film is transparent to the naked eye, uniform and crack-free with a thickness of about 200 nm and an average grain size of 100 nm. Patterned thin films with different strip widths ( 5 - 50 mm) were obtained by micromolding in capillaries ( soft lithography). The doped rare earth ions show their characteristic emission in the nanocrystalline LaPO4 films, i.e., Eu3+ D-5(0)-F-7(J) (J = 1, 2, 3, 4), Tb3+ D-5(3,4) - F-7(J) ( J = 6, 5, 4, 3, 2) and Ce3+ 5d-4f transition emissions, respectively. Both the lifetimes and the PL intensities of Eu3+ and Tb3+ increase with increasing annealing temperature, and the optimum concentrations for them were determined to be 5 mol% and 16 mol% of La3+ in LaPO4 thin films, respectively. An energy transfer phenomenon from Ce3+ to Tb3+ has been observed in LaPO4 nanocrystalline thin films, and the energy transfer efficiency depends on the doping concentration of Tb3+ if the concentration of Ce3+ is fixed.

Energy transfer and upconversion luminescence properties of Y2O3 : Sm and Gd2O3 : Sm phosphors

Y2O3:Sm and Gd2O3:Sm powder phosphors were prepared by carbonate coprecipitation method. The purified crystalline phases of Y2O3:Sm and Gd2O3:SM were obtained at 600degreesC, and the crystallinity increases with increase in annealing temperature. Both samples contain aggregated phosphor particles. An energy transfer (ET) from Y2O3 and Gd2O3 hosts to sm(3+) has been observed, and the ET efficiency in the latter is higher than that in the former because an energy migration process like Gd3+-(Gd3+)(n)-Sm3+ has occurred in the latter. Furthermore, an upconversion luminescence from the (4)G(5/2) level of Sm3+ has been observed in both Y2O3 and Gd2O3 under the excitation of 936 nm infrared, whose mechanisms are proposed. Both the up and downconversion emission intensities of Sm3+ in Gd2O3 are stronger than those in Y2O3.

Luminescence properties of RP1-xVxO4: A (R=Y, Gd, La; A=Sm3+Er3+ x=0, 0.5, 1) thin films prepared by pechini sol-gel process

Thin film phosphors with compositions of RP1-xVxO4: A (R = Y, Gd, La; A = Sm3+, Et3+; x = 0, 0.5, 1) have been prepared by a Pechini sol-gel process. X-Ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy (AFM), photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra were utilized to characterize the thin film phosphors. The results of XRD showed that a solid solution formed in YVxP1-xO4: A film series from x = 0 to x = 1 with zircon structure, which also held for GdVO4: A film. However, LaVO4: A film crystallized with a different structure, monazite. AFM study revealed that the phosphor films consisted of homogeneous particles ranging from 90 to 400 nm depending on the compositions. Upon short ultraviolet excitation, the films exhibit the characteristic Sm(3+ 4)G(5/2)-H-6(J) (J=5/2, 7/2, 9/2) emission in the red region and Er3+ H-2(11/2), S-4(3/2)-I-4(15/2) emission in the green region, respectively With the increase of x values in YVxP1-xO4: SM3+ (Er3+) films, the emission intensity Of SM3+ (Er3+) increases due to the increase of energy transfer probability from VO43- to Sm3+ (Er3+). Due to the structural effects, the Sm3+ (Er3+) shows similar spectral properties in YVO4 and GdVO4 films, which are much different from those in LaVO4 film.

Morphology control and luminescence properties of YAG : Eu phosphors prepared by spray pyrolysis

Starting from nitrate aqueous solutions with citric acid and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as additives, Y3Al5O12:Eu (YAG:Eu) phosphors were prepared by a two-step spray pyrolysis (SP) method. The obtained YAG:Eu phosphor particles have spherical shape, submicron size and smooth surface. The effects of process conditions of the spray pyrolysis on the crystallinity, morphology and luminescence properties of phosphor particles were investigated. The emission intensity of the phosphors increased with increasing of sintering temperature and solution concentration due to the increase of the crystallinity and particles size, respectively. Adequate amount of PEG was necessary for obtaining spherical particles, and the optimum emission intensity could be obtained when the concentration of PEG was 0.10 g/ml in the precursor solution. Compared with the YAG:Eu phosphor prepared by citrate-gel (CG) method with non-spherical morphology, spherical YAG:Eu phosphor particles showed a higher emission intensity.

Study on the reduction of Eu3+ -> Eu2+ in Sr4Al14O25: Eu prepared in air atmosphere

Compounds of Sr4Al14O15: Eu were prepared in air atmosphere by high temperature solid state reaction. The reduction of Eu3+--> Eu2+ was firstly observed in the aluminate phosphor of Sr4Al14O25: Eu synthesized in air condition. This made aluminate a new family and Sr4Al14O25 a new member of compounds in which Eu3+ ion could be reduced to Eu2+ form when fired in air atmosphere. The reduction of Eu3+ --> Eu2+ in Sr4Al14O25: Eu was explained by means of a charge compensation model. Experiments based on the model were designed and carried out, and the results supported this model.

Synthesis of Sr2CeO4: Eu-3 by citrate-gel method and its luminescence properties

A novel phosphor Sr2CeO4 was synthesized by the citrate-gel method. The results of XRD show that the temperature at which the crystallization starting is lowered and the soak time for complete crystallization is decreased. The values of pH of the precursor and the ratio( R) between the citrate and cation ions have an effect on the crystallization process. The host can transfer its exciting energy to rare earth ion Eu3+. The doped compound emits strong white light when the concentration of the doped Eu3+ is low. When that of Eu3+ is increased, it emits strong red light. The fluorescence from the higher excited states can be observed because the multiphonon relaxation probability between Eu3+ ions is low.

Citrate-gel synthesis and luminescent properties of ZnGa2O4 doped with Mn2+ and EU3+

By using inorganic salts as raw materials and citric acid as complexing agent, spinel oxide ZnGa2O4 and Mn2+, Eu3+-doped ZnGa2O4 phosphor powders were prepared by a citrate-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), TG-DTA, FT-IR. and luminescence excitation and emission spectra were used to characterize the resulting products. The results of XRD reveal that the powders begin to crystallize at 500 degreesC and pure ZnGa2O4 phase is obtained at 700 degreesC, which agrees well with the results of TG-DTA and FT-IR. In the crystalline ZnGa2O4, the Eu shows its characteristic red (615 nm, D-5(0)-F-7(2)) emission with a quenching concentration of 5 mol% (of Ga3+), and the Mn shows green emission (505 nm, T, A,) with a quenching concentration of 0.1 mol% (of Zn2+). The luminescence mechanism of ZnGa2O4:Mn2+/Eu3+ is presented.

Preparation and luminescence properties of ormosil material doped with Eu(TTA)(3)phen complex

The europium complex, Eu(TTA)(3)phen (TTA = thenoyltrifluoroacetone, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) was successfully doped into organically modified silicate (ormosil) matrix-SiO2/(VTMOS+PMMA) (VTMOS = vinyltrimethoxysilane, PMMA = polymethylmethacrylate) via sol-gel process, and the luminescence properties of the resultant ormosil composite phosphors [ormosil: Eu(TTA)(3)phen were investigated compared with those of the pure Eu(TTA)(3)phen complex powder. The ormosil composite materials incorporated with Eu(TTA)(3)phen show the characteristic red emission of Eu3+ ion. The Eu3+ possesses fewer emission lines and longer lifetime in the hybrid phosphor than in the pure Eu(TTA)(3)phen complex. This has been explained from the viewpoint of the surrounding environment where the Eu3+ ion lies. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The VUV spectra properties of (Y,Gd)BO3 : Eu

The (Y, Gd) BO3 : Eu phosphor was synthesized by solid-state reaction, The UV spectra showed that in a certain range of Gd3+ concentration, more Gd3+ absorbed energy and transferred it to Eu3+ with its increasing concentration. From the spectra in VUV region, it was observed that both the doping and the concentrations of Gd3+, Eu3+ greatly affected the absorption of the host lattice. The absorbances at 147 nm and 170 nm increased when the Gd3+ was doped which can be explained as that Gd3+ transferred energy to BO4. The optical properties of (Y, Gd)BO3 : Eu were the best when the concentration of Eu3+ was about 0.04.