Energy transfer mechanism in Eu3+ doped tin oxide nanophosphors for red solid state lighting

Abstract

A europium doped tin oxide (SnO2:Eu3+) nanophosphor is prepared by using of solution-combustion process with a variation in the doping amount of Eu3+. The results recorded by X-ray diffraction are established that SnO2: Eu3+ has a polycrystalline tetragonal structure without phase alteration for each concentration of Eu3+. The undoped SnO2 nanoparticles showed only defects related emission while emission due to the f→f transitions of Eu3+ ion is observed upon doping. The optimized photoluminescent intensity was observed for 3 mol% Eu3+. The life-time measurement of Eu3+ -doped SnO2 associated with major emission band located at 612 nm was monitored as 0.3 ms for the 3 mol% of Eu concentration. The present results reveal that Eu3+ -doped SnO2 nanoparticles may be used as a source of red light phosphor and this may be utilized for solid white light emitting application.