Abstract
Manganese doped nanocrystalline willemite powder phosphors Zn(2-x)Mn(x)SiO(4) (0.1<or=x<or=0.5) have been synthesized by a low-temperature initiated, self-propagating, gas producing solution combustion process. The phosphors have been characterized by using x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and photo luminescence (PL) spectroscopic techniques. The lattice parameters calculated from XRD confirm that Zn(2-x)Mn(x)SiO(4) has a rhombohedral space group R3H. The XRD patterns confirm that Zn(2-x)Mn(x)SiO(4) phosphor samples undergo a phase transformation from beta-willemite to alpha-willemite phase at 950 degrees C. The EPR spectra of Mn(2+) ions exhibit resonance signals at g approximately = 3.24 and g approximately = 2.02, with a sextet hyperfine structure centered around g approximately = 2.02. The EPR signals of Mn(2+) give a clear indication of the presence of two different Mn(2+) sites. The magnitude of the hyperfine splitting (A) indicates that the Mn(2+) is in an ionic environment. The number of spins participating in resonance (N), the paramagnetic susceptibility (chi), and the zero-field splitting parameter (D) have been evaluated as function of x. It is interesting to observe that the variation of N with temperature obeys Boltzmann. The paramagnetic susceptibility is calculated from the EPR data at various temperatures and the Curie constant and Curie paramagnetic temperature was evaluated from the 1/chi versus T graph. The luminescence of Mn(2+) ion in Zn(2)SiO(4) shows a strong green emission peak around 520 nm from the synthesized phosphor particles under UV excitation (251 nm). The luminescence is assigned to a transition from the upper (4)T(1)-->(6)A(1) ground state. The mechanism involved in the generation of a green emission has been explained in detail. The effect of Mn content on luminescence has also been studied.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
