Charge transfer-induced fast blue emission in SrZnO2:Ce

Abstract

This study reports host-controlled luminescence from 4f0 and 4f 1 Ce levels in SrZnO2, probed through x-ray absorption near edge and photoluminescence spectroscopies. O K-edge perceived the presence of Ce 4f states at the bottom of conduction band and 5d states merging with conduction band. Due to such an arrangement, a fast radiative emission (11.15 ns, average) is observed through charge transfer excitation from host to empty 4f0 Ce levels. Ce content is found to vary the site occupancy, which is then modifying the population of 4f0 and 4f 1 energy states by altering Ce–O bond covalency. This study proposes the Ce-doped SrZnO2 system as a potential system for scintillators and lighting materials.