Plant latex mediated green synthesis of ZnAl2O4:Dy3+ (1–9mol%) nanophosphor for white light generation

Abstract

Abstract ZnAl2O4:Dy3+ (1–9 mol%) nanophosphors were synthesized by a simple, cost effective and environmental friendly route using Euphorbia tirucalli plant latex. The structural properties and morphological features of the phosphors were well studied by PXRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM measurements. The luminescent properties of ZnAl2O4:Dy3+ (1–9 mol%) nanophosphors were investigated from the excitation and emission spectra. The phosphor performance was evaluated by color co-ordinates. The values were well located in the near white region as a result it was highly useful for the fabrication of green component in WLEDs. The average particle size was found to be ∼9–18 nm and same was confirmed by TEM and Scherrer’s method. The highest photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) intensity was obtained to be ∼7 mol% Dy3+ concentration. A single TL glow peak was recorded at 172 °C at a warming rate of 2.5 °Cs−1. The intensity at 172 °C peak increases linearly up to 1 kGy and after that it diminishes. PL intensity was studied with different plant latex concentration (2–8 ml) and highest PL intensity was recorded for ∼ 8 ml. The optimized phosphor showed good reusability, low fading and wide range of linearity with γ-dose hence the phosphor was quite useful in radiation dosimetry.