Er3+-doped Y4Al2O9 nanophosphors for advance display applications: Synthesis, crystal chemistry and down conversion photoluminescent investigation

Abstract

A gel-combustion approach was positively used to synthesize a series of cool greenish light emitter Y4-xAl2O9:xEr3+ (x = 1–5 mol %) nanophosphors and their structural, vibrational, morphological and luminescent characteristics have been examined for display applications. Studies of X-ray diffraction and structural refinement show that synthesized nanophosphors are made up of a single phase with a monoclinical crystal structure having P21/c space group. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) image manifests occurrence of non-uniform agglomeration of particles in the dominion of nano region. Emission spectra entail strongest band located at 549 nm due to 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 transition of trivalent erbium ion, producing greenish light. Concentration quenching (CQ) was attributed to exchange interactions (quadruple-quadruple), with an optimum concentration at 3 mol %. The lifetime of 549 nm emission decreases with higher Er3+ addition. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of Y4-xAl2O9:xEr3+ (x = 1–5 mol %) nanosamples were found in the greenish area. These obtained results of Y4-xAl2O9:xEr3+ (x = 1–5 mol %) nanophosphors are supportive for the usage of prepared nanophosphors as green component in display fabrication and other lighting foundations.