Dy3+ doped cubic zirconia nanostructures prepared via ultrasound route for display applications

Abstract

White light emitting dysprosium (Dy) doped Zirconia (ZrO2) nanostructures were prepared first time via ultrasound assisted sonochemical synthesis route using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant. The obtained product was well characterized. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) profiles confirmed that the product was highly crystalline in nature with cubic phase. Various reaction parameters such as, effect of sonication time, concentration of the surfactant was studied in detail. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was studied to evaluate the band gap energy of the products and the values were found in the range of 4.13 – 4.53 eV. The particle size was estimated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and it was found in the range of 10-20 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied in detail by recording emission spectra of all the Dy doped Zirconia nanostructures at an excitation wavelength of 350 nm. The emission peaks were observed at 480, 574 and 666 nm which corresponds to Dy3+ ion transitions. The 3 mol% Dy3+ doped ZrO2 nanostructures showed maximum intensity. Further photometric measurements were done by evaluating, Commission International De I-Eclairage (CIE) and correlated color temperature (CCT). From CIE it was observed that the color coordinates lies in white region. The color purity and quantum efficiency were also estimated and the results indicate that the nanophosphor obtained in this route can be used in preparing solid state lighting application.