Synthesis and luminescent characteristics of M3Y2Si3O12:Eu3+ (M = Ca, Mg, Sr and Ba) nanomaterials for display applications

Abstract

Luminescence properties of europium(III) doped M3Y2Si3O12 (M = Ca, Mg, Sr and Ba) nanophosphors were characterized prepared with the sol gel technique. These materials were explored at 950 °C without adding any fuel or chelating agent and then samples were further reheated at 1050 and 1150 °C. Structural properties of resulting phosphors were analyzed with the help of X-ray diffraction study. Powder pattern of Eu3+ doped Ca3Y2Si3O12 material showed orthorhombic crystal structure having a space group of Pnma. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis was used to detect the chemical composition and presence of europium ions in the Ca3Y2Si3O12 material. Upon 395 nm excitation, these phosphors exhibited intense red color due to 4f → 4f transitions of Eu3+ ion doped in the host lattice. Among all emission transitions of europium(III) ion, 5D0 → 7F2 is the most prominent one which were centered in the region of 610–615 nm. Some weak emissive peaks were also available in the spectra due to 5D0 → 7F1 and 5D0 → 7F3 transitions of europium ion. Three mole percent concentration of europium ion was found to be optimum for doping in these fluorescent materials. The effect of temperature and concentration on luminescence characteristics of these red light emitting materials were also studied. Structure and bonding in silicate phosphors were determined using Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy estimated the size of prepared materials which were found in range of 20–55 nm. High stability and excellent photoluminescence properties of these nanosized materials made them suitable for display device applications.