Synthesis and luminescence properties of $${\text{Ca}}_{3} {\text{Y}}_{2} ({\text{Si}}_{3} {\text{O}}_{9} )_{2} :x{\text{Ce}}^{{3 + }}$$ Ca 3 Y 2 ( Si 3 O 9 ) 2 : x Ce 3 + nanophosphor

Abstract

Powder samples of calcium yttrium silicate, $${\text{Ca}}_{3} {\text{Y}}_{2} ({\text{Si}}_{3} {\text{O}}_{9} )_{2} :x{\text{Ce}}^{{3 + }}$$ $$(x=0,{~}0.01,$$ $$0.02,$$ $$0.04,$$ $$0.08$$ , and $$0.16{\text{ mol}}\% )$$ , were prepared by a solution combustion technique using $$\text{CaN}{\text{O}_3},\text{YN}{\text{O}_3},\text{TEOS}$$ and Urea as a starting materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show monoclinic phase of the samples and the diffraction peaks match well with the standard JCPDS card (PDF#87–0459). The photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of the doped samples monitored at excitation wavelength of 365 nm show a broad band extending from about 350 to 600 nm and this band can be ascribed to the allowed $$\left[ {{\text{Xe}}} \right]5{\text{d}}^{1} {\text{~}}$$ to $$\left[ {{\text{Xe}}} \right]4{\text{f}}^{1} {\text{~}}$$ transition of $${\text{Ce}}^{{3 + }}$$ . Moreover, the PL intensity increased for up to critical concentration of $$x=0.08$$ mol% and then decreased. The reflectance spectra of the doped samples show a red shift in their optical band gap as compared to the host. The Thermoluminescence (TL) properties of the host material ( $$x=0$$ mol%) shows increment in the intensity of the glow curves for all the UV-doses applied. For the host, important TL kinetic parameters such as the activation energy (E), the frequency factor (s), and the order of kinetics (b) were determined by employing peak shape method. The introduction of $${\text{Ce}}^{{3 + }}$$ in to the host material completely changed the TL properties of the samples.