Influence of Eu3+ doping concentration on the luminescence properties of Y2O2S: Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ nanoarrays via sol–gel template method

Abstract

Firstly, Y(2−x−0.04)O3: xEu3+, Mg2+0.02, Ti4+0.02 (x=5.0mol%, 5.5mol%, 6.0mol%, 6.5mol% and 7.0mol%) nanotube arrays were synthesized by sol–gel template method to serve as the precursors. Then the precursors were calcined in CS2 condition at 850°C for 2h to obtain the red long afterglow phosphor Y2O2S: Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ nanotube arrays with different Eu3+ doping concentration. The samples of theY2O2S: Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ nanotube arrays were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectroscopy and long-lasting phosphorescence. SEM proves that the Y2O2S: Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ nanotube arrays are highly ordered and have uniform size. XRD testified that the main phase constitution of the phosphor is Y2O2S. From the spectrum, the main emission peaks at 616nm and 626nm are excited by the 339nm UV excitation, which are ascribed to the Eu3+ ions transition from 5D0 to 7F2. After irradiation by 365nm UV radiation for 10min, the decay time of the Y2O2S: Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ nanotube arrays with 6.5mol% Eu3+ doping concentration could last for over 280s (⩾1mcd/m2).