Synthesis and characterization of spherical and rod like nanocrystalline Nd 2O 3 phosphors

Abstract

Spherical and rod like nanocrystalline Nd 2O 3 phosphors have been prepared by solution combustion and hydrothermal methods respectively. The Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) results confirm that hexagonal A-type Nd 2O 3 has been obtained with calcination at 900 °C for 3 h and the lattice parameters have been evaluated by Rietveld refinement. Surface morphology of Nd 2O 3 phosphors show the formation of nanorods in hydrothermal synthesis whereas spherical particles in combustion method. TEM results also confirm the same. Raman studies show major peaks, which are assigned, to F g and combination of A g + E g modes. The PL spectrum shows a series of emission bands at ∼326–373 nm (UV), 421–485 nm (blue), 529–542 nm (green) and 622 nm (red). The UV, blue, green and red emission in the PL spectrum indicates that Nd 2O 3 nanocrystals are promising for high performance materials and white light emitting diodes (LEDs).