Photoluminescence Enhancement Effect of CeO2 in Rare Earth Composites MM′O3/CeO2 and MM′O3/CeO2: Pr3+ (M = Ca, Sr; M′ = Ti, Zr)

Abstract

In the context, a modified sol-gel technology was afford to the synthesis of rare earth composite ceramic phosphors MM'O(3)/CeO(2) and MM'O(3)/CeO(2): Pr(3+) (M = Ca, Sr; M' = Ti, Zr) with multicomponent hybrid precursors were composed. The micromorphology, particle size and photoluminescence properties were studied with XRD, SEM and luminescent spectroscopy in detail. Both XRD and SEM indicated the particle sizes were in the submicrometer range of 100-300 nm. The photoluminescence for these ceramic phosphors were studied in details with the different component of host (molecular ratio of Sr, Ca and Ti, Zr), presenting a broad spectral band in the visible blue-violet region with the maximum excitation peak at 449 nm and a wide emission range with a maximum peak at 619 nm, which was ascribed to be the characteristic transition of Pr(3+) ((1)D(2) --> (3)H(4)). These phosphors can be expected for visible light conversion (blue --> red) materials. Especially it can be found that the introduction of CeO(2) can enhance the luminescence intensity of MM'O(3) and MM'O(3): Pr(3+).