5d Transitions Research Articles

Violet Light Excitable BaLiZn3(PO4)3: Eu3+ Orange-red-emitting Phosphor towards White LED Application

White light-emitting diode (WLED) has been widely used as solid-state lighting in recent years, with the advantages of energy saving, high luminous efficiency, and safety. Red phosphors are crucial to the color rendering index of WLED, and Eu3+-activated red phosphors can significantly improve the chromaticity performance of WLED. In this work, a series of new orange-red emitting BaLiZn3(PO4)3: Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized through high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The phase composition, crystal structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties of BaLiZn3(PO4)3: Eu3+ samples were investigated. The phosphors can be effectively excited by the violet light at 394 nm and emit orange-red lights corresponding to the electric dipole transition (5D0→7F1) at 594 nm. The optimal doping concentration of Eu3+ ions was about 5 mol%. The concentration quenching was caused by the electric dipole-dipole interaction between Eu3+ ions. Temperature-dependent PL spectra indicate that BaLiZn3(PO4)3: Eu3+ has excellent emission and color stability at high temperatures. The color coordinates were calculated and fall in the orange-red luminescent area. The color purity is about 98.3%, and the correlated color temperature is 1710K. These results indicate that the new orange-red phosphor BaLiZn3(PO4)3: Eu3+ has potential application prospects in WLED.

A novel red-emitting InScW3O12:Eu3+ phosphor with anti-thermal-quenching performance for high-power WLED applications

A series of red-emitting InScW3O12:Eu3+ (ISWO:Eu3+) phosphors with anti-thermal-quenching performance were successfully synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. The phase structure and luminescent properties of ISWO:Eu3+ were systematically studied. The photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectrum showed that ISWO:Eu3+ phosphor can be effectively matched with commercial ultraviolet (UV), violet and blue light chips. The main emission peak of the phosphor was located at 613 nm, which was attributed to the electric dipole transition 5D0 → 7F2. Under the optimal excitation, the prepared ISWO:0.08Eu3+ phosphor showed excellent anti-thermal-quenching performance, its photoluminescence (PL) intensity at 180 °C reached 157.4 % of initial intensity at room temperature. At 465 nm excitation, it also exhibited the anti-thermal-quenching property and the PL intensity remained 115.1 % at 150 °C of that at room temperature. In situ XRD analysis revealed that the lattice contraction resulting in an increase in structural rigidity as the temperature rising, which caused the change of Eu3+ local environment and improved the PL intensity. Finally, a series of warm white LED devices under varying power density conditions with stable output were prepared using the red ISWO:0.08Eu3+ phosphor, indicating that the ISWO:Eu3+ phosphor with excellent anti-thermal-quenching performance has potential application prospects in high-power white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs).

Synthesis and Properties of a Red Na5Zn2Gd1−x(MoO4)6: xEu3+ Phosphor

Novel Eu3+-doped Na5Zn2Gd(MoO4)6 triple molybdate phosphors were fabricated by the sol-gel method. The structure, morphology, and luminescent properties have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy. The results indicated that the synthesized Na5Zn2Gd1−x(MoO4)6: xEu3+ phosphor consisted of a pure phase with monoclinic structure. Under excitation at 465 nm, the Na5Zn2Gd1−x(MoO4)6: xEu3+ phosphor exhibits an intensive red emission band around 610 nm corresponding to the transition of 5D0→7F2 which is much higher than that 5D0→7F1 at 594 nm, which was appropriate for a blue LED. According to the influence of the synthesis conditions, the phosphors showed the highest emission intensity when the doping concentration of Eu3+ was 25 mol.% and the molar ratio of citric acid to metal ions was 2:1. Na5Zn2Gd0.75(MoO4)6: 0.25 Eu3+ with the color coordinates (x = 0.658, y = 0.341) is a more stable red phosphor for blue-based white LEDs than the commercial Y2O2S: Eu3+ red phosphor (0.48, 0.50) due to its being closer to the NTSC standard values (0.670, 0.330).

Spectral characteristics and luminescence applications of Eu3+-activated fluorosilicate Na2MgGd2[SiO3]4F2

This work reports the luminescence spectra and application of novel Eu3+-doped Na2MgGd2[SiO3]4F2 phosphor. The X-ray powder diffraction confirmed the pure phase formation of the samples with the monoclinic space group P21/c (No:14). The phosphors demonstrated efficient red emission at 613 nm from the electric dipole transitions 5D0→7F2. The optimal doping concentration was found to be approximately 25 mol%. Na2MgGd2[SiO3]4F2:0.25Eu3+ exhibits a high quantum efficiency (QE) of 57 % with excellent thermal stability and pure chromaticity. Red- and the white light-emitting diode devices were packaged using InGaN chips and Na2MgGd2[SiO3]4F2:0.25Eu3+. The fabricated WLED has CIE coordinates of (x = 0.33, y = 0.34), which are very close to the white point in the National Television System Committee (x = 0.33, y = 0.33). The color rendering index (CRI, Ra) and correlated color temperature (CCT) of the WLED are 91 and 4400 K, respectively. The results show that as a red luminescent phosphor, it is a potential candidate for the preparation of near-UV/blue InGaN-based WLEDs.

The interplay between structural features and the efficiency of the energy transfer process in terbium complexes with triarylcyclopentadienyl ligands

Terbium and gadolinium complexes with triarylcyclopentadienyl ligands having electron-donating methoxy substituents in the ortho- (CpPh2Ar−o) and para- (CpPh2Ar−p) positions of one of the phenyl rings have been synthesized. Different structural types, including tetranuclear [{CpPh2Ar−oTb (THF)}2 (μ2-Cl)2(μ3-Cl)3K (THF)]2 (Tb1), [{CpPh2Ar−oTb}2 (μ2-Cl)2 (μ3-Cl)3K]2 (Tb3), [{(CpPh2Ar−oTb)2 (μ2-Cl)3}2 (μ2-Cl)2] (Tb5), [{CpPh2Ar−pTb (THF)}2 (μ2-Cl)2 (μ3-Cl)3K (THF)]2 (Tb6), binuclear [{CpPh2Ar−oTb (THF)Cl}2 (μ2-Cl)2] (Tb4), [{CpPh2Ar−pTb (THF)}2 (μ2-Cl)2 (μ3-Cl)3K (THF)]2 (Tb7), [CpPh2Ar−p2Tb (μ2-Cl) (μ3-Cl)K]2 (Tb8) and mononuclear [CpPh2Ar−o2TbCl] (Tb2) complexes have been obtained and confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All designed terbium complexes exhibit high quantum yields of the photoluminescence (up to 65 %). The introduction of a methoxy group into one of the phenyl rings of the triarylcyclopentadienyl ligand leads to a more than twofold increase in the quantum yield of the terbium ion luminescence. The estimated values of radiative rate krad of the terbium ion vary in the range of 0.23–0.69 ms. The presence of the methoxy group as well as the mutual disposition of the phenyl rings promotes the appearance of an intraligand charge transfer states involved in the energy transfer process. Due to a lowering of the energy of the interconfigurational 4f −5d transitions caused by the relatively strong crystal field of the Cp ligand in bis(cyclopentadienyl) terbium complexes, the quantum yield of the photoluminescence is high at the short lifetimes of the 5D4 level of the terbium ion.

Synthesis and investigation of the optical characteristics of RE3+ activated Ca2Li2Si2O7 (Rare earth = Eu, Tb) phosphor for W-LED application

Novel Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions-doped Ca2Li2Si2O7 luminescent materials were prepared by a low-temperature solid-state reaction technique for LED application. The electronic transitions of 5D0 → 7F2 (Eu3+) and 5D4 → 7F5 (Tb3+) have caused the luminescent material to exhibit strong luminosity in 613 nm (red) and 545 nm (green), respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were applied for the identification of functional groups, and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used for structural analysis. Morphological data was gathered using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its color was also determined by calculating the CIE coordinates. The excitation, PL properties, and luminescence decay time of the emission transitions of Eu3+ (5D0 → 7F2) and Tb3+ (5D4 → 7F5) were measured in order to analyze luminosity spectra.

Preparation, structure and spectral properties of Eu3+-doped Lu2O3 scintillation ceramics

Lu2O3 scintillation ceramics doped with different concentrations of Eu3+ were prepared by SPS in a vacuum environment. The microstructural properties of the prepared ceramics were analyzed using XRD, SEM and EDS in details. Excited by the 395 nm, the Eu3+-doped samples display a prominent emission peak at 612 nm, corresponding to the transition 5D0→7F2. The PL spectra across various concentrations identified 3 at.% as the optimal doping concentration. The temperature-dependent PL spectra reveal the activation energy of approximately 0.266 eV for the 3 % Eu3+-doped Lu2O3 ceramic. Under 395 nm excitation, the lifetimes of xEu:Lu2O3 (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07) ceramics were fitted to be 1.07 ms, 1.02 ms, 0.99 ms and 0.92 ms, respectively. The XEL spectra of Eu3+-doped samples are consistent with their PL spectra, aligning well with the sensitivity range of the detector. These results demonstrate that Eu3+:Lu2O3 scintillation ceramics are ideal materials for scintillation detectors.

Robust structure, spectral adjustability of single-component silicate oxyapatite Sr2La8(SiO4)6O2: Ce/Tb/Sm toward phosphor-converted wLEDs application

The lack of photons in electromagnetic spectrum region of 400–450 nm, termed cyan gap among other photoluminescence (PL) coverage issues, confines the full-visible- spectrum white light's overall capability for color rendering in part of previously studied single-component phosphors. Herein, we have mechanistically investigated that a Ce3+ incorporated silicate oxyapatite Sr2La8(SiO4)6O2 (SLS) phosphor, via a facile sol-combustion synthesis under low temperature, shows efficient cyan PL with broad full width at half maxima (fwhm, ∼90 nm) and high quantum yield (QY, ∼46.3 %) as a result of tendentious dual-site occupations and parity-allowed 4f1 ↔ 5d transitions of Ce3+, based on a combination of steady/transient-state spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. According to the principle of color superposition, the color-tunable PL, including the white emission with low coordinated color temperature (CCT) and high color rendering index (CRI), is realized by further codoping the characteristic green/red line emissions from Tb3+ and Sm3+ ions in the SLS: Ce. The low PL QY (∼32.7 %) from the monodoped Tb or Sm, due to its forbidden 4f-4f transitions, is cleverly alleviated via cascade-connected energy transfer (ET) from Ce → Tb → Sm. The direct ET from Ce → Sm is hardly occurred because of the metal-mental charge transfer (MMCT) effect. Finally, a prototype pc-wLED assembled via a remote ‘capping’ packaging strategy and using only the stably composition-optimized white-emitting SLS: Ce/Tb/Sm demonstrates attractive performance of the designed device (CCT 4243 K, CRI (Ra) 87, CIE (0.365, 0.381), and LE 76 lm⋅W−1 under 120 mA) and the phosphor is promising for high-quality of light.

Structure and photoluminescence properties of coordination compound [Eu2(o-MBA)6(phen)2] with high quantum yield

An europium(III) coordination binuclear compound [Eu2(o-MBA)6(phen)2] (o-MBA = ortho-methylbenzoate, phen = 1,10-phenantroline) has been synthesized and investigated by X-ray diffraction method, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared (IR) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The single crystal X-Ray diffraction measurements show that the compound crystallizes in the triclinic centrosymmetric space group P-1. The PL excitation spectrum displays a broad band between 300 and 420 nm and a number of sharp transitions between 384 and 590 nm, which can be attributed to the Eu3+ 4f6 intra-shell excitation transitions. The complex exhibits characteristic narrow, metal-centred emission bands, which are determined by the radiative transitions of the Eu3+ ion, from the first excited non-degenerate 5D0 level to the 7FJ (J = 0–4) manifold. The compound shows intense hypersensitive transition 5D0→7F2 which dominates the PL emission spectrum. The dipole strengths of the transitions were determined from the emission spectra in terms of Judd-Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters Ωλ (λ = 2, 4). The high intensity bright-red emission of the complex can be attributed to highly polarizable ligands environment and the low site symmetry (Ci) around the lanthanide ions. We suppose that the J-mixing effect in the Eu(III) ions is responsible for enhanced peak maximum of the 5D0→7F0 transition.

Unveiling the Versatility of Coumarin-Integrated with Phenanthroline/Thiabendazole-Based EuIII Complexes for Smart LEDs, Vapoluminescence, and Bioimaging Applications.

Narrow band red-emitting phosphors based on organo-Eu(III) complexes prove their energetic features with surprising performance in smart red/white LEDs, sensing, and biological fields. In this report, a series of unique Eu(III) complexes have been synthesized with coumarin integrated with a class of phenanthroline(Phen)/thiabendazole(TBZ) based ancillary ligands and dibenzoyl methane (DBM)/2-theonyl trifluoroacetone (TTA) as an anionic ligand. The computational study reveals that the TBZ/Phen-based neutral ligands are superior energy harvesters to those other reported analogue neutral ligands. All the Eu-complexes demonstrated outstanding red emission due to electric dipole (ED) transition (5D0 → 7F2) in solid, solution, and thin film with high quantum yield (QY). Theoretical analysis (TD-DFT) and experimental findings describe that the energy transfer (ET) from the ligand's triplet level to the Eu(III) ion is completely occurring. The Eu(III) complexes can potentially be used to fabricate intense hybrid white and red LEDs. All of the fabricated red LEDs revealed high luminous efficiency of radiation (LER) values. The fabricated blue LED based hybrid white LEDs displayed remarkable performance with a low correlated color temperature (5634 K), high color rendering index 88%, and CIE values (x = 0.33; y = 0.342) for 3Eu. By interaction with acid-base vapors, Eu-complexes displayed effectively alterable on-off-on luminescence. Further, cellular imaging shows that Eu-complexes can be a potential biomarker for cancer cell lines.

A prime red phosphor Ca3Gd(AlO)3(BO3)4:Eu3+ with high color purity for low color temperature pc-WLEDs

A series of excellent thermal stability red phosphors Ca3Gd(AlO)3(BO3)4:Eu3+ were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction method. Through the fluorescence spectrometer, the research results make clear that this phosphor has a best excitation wavelength of 396 nm, and 0.7 mol% of doping is optimal. The interaction between ions causes a concentration-quenching phenomenon when the doping concentration is too high. Under the excitation of 396 nm ultraviolet light, there is a significant emission peak at 623 nm due to the energy level transition of 5D0→7F2 in the outer layer of the fluorescent powder. The color purity of the Ca3Gd0.3(AlO)3(BO3)4:0.7Eu3+ is 98.8 %, which means the corresponding red light emitted can effectively compensate for the missing red light component in white light-emitting diodes(WLEDs). The operating temperature of WLED typically hovers around 150 degrees Celsius. At such temperatures, the luminous efficiency of fluorescent powders remains remarkably resilient, peaking at 94.84 % relative to room conditions. Even when the temperature surges to 200 degrees Celsius, the luminous efficiency of fluorescent powders persists at an impressive 88.87 %. The energy band gap of Ca3Gd0.3(AlO)3(BO3)4:0.7Eu3+ is up to 5.05 eV, which further demonstrates its excellent thermal stability. Ca3Gd0.3(AlO)3(BO3)4:0.7Eu3+ phosphor used in the WLED device emits warm white light (CCT = 3628 K, CRI = 87.4). As a result of these results, the phosphor can be used as an excellent red light component in pc-WLEDs.

Luminescence spectra and site-occupation of Eu3+ centres in lithium antimonate LiSbO3 lattice

It is a challenge to accurately determine the exact location of the rare earth ion (RE) in the lattice when there are significant differences in radius, electronegativity and valence between the lattice cation and the corresponding RE activator in a host material. This study presents the findings on the luminescence and site occupancy of Eu3+ emission centers in the lithium antimonate LiSbO3 lattice. The phase-formation, structures, elemental composition, band transition characteristics, luminescence properties, and lifetimes of the Eu3+-doped phosphors were investigated. Eu3+-doped LiSbO3 exhibits a typical 5D0→7F2 red luminescence transition at 613 nm. Site-selective excitation, luminescence, and decay properties at the 7F0→5D0 transition wavelength were measured using a tunable pulsed narrow-band dye laser. Two Eu3+ luminescence centers in LiSbO3 were identified across the temperature range from 10 K to 300 K. The doping of RE(Eu3+) in LiSbO3 consistently occupies two crystallographic positions of Li+ and Sb5+. Furthermore, the probability of RE(Eu3+) ions preferentially occupying the Li+ (M) sites is notably high. The decay curves and luminescence lifetimes of the two Eu3+ centers were determined. Drawing from the experimental data, we discuss the potential defects induced by Eu3+ doping in LiSbO3 and the mechanism of charge compensation. These results could be instrumental in the advancement of new RE-activated luminescent materials or serve as a reference for investigating the specific positioning of RE ions within a phosphor lattice.

Luminescence properties of cerium-doped Li2O–Gd2O3 –ZrO2–P2O5 glasses for scintillator application

In this study, we developed the phosphate glass doped with CeF3 for scintillator applications. The phosphate glasses, 20Li2O−5Gd2O3–2ZrO2−(73-x) P2O5−xCeF3 were synthesized at different CeF3 concentrations by using the conventional melt-quenching technique. The density, molar volume, transmittance, photoluminescence (PL) and radioluminescence (RL) properties were investigated and quantified. The study found a positive correlation between the concentration of CeF3 with the density values and refractive index of the glass samples. The transmission spectra exhibited a red shift as the level of CeF3 increased. The emission spectra revealed a wide range of wavelengths resulting from the transition between the 5d and 4f transitions of the Ce3+ ion. The maximum intensity of emission for both PL and RL were observed at a concentration of 0.50 mol% CeF3. Moreover, the results of the emission spectra measured under Gd3+ excitation and the PL decay curves of Gd3+ in glass samples showed clearly evidence energy transfer (ET) from Gd3+ to Ce3+. The XPS spectra revealed the existence of phosphorus oxidation states. The XANES analysis revealed the existence of Ce3+ and Ce4+ in all glass samples, as evidenced by the appearance of peaks at approximately 5.728 keV for Ce3+, 5.732 keV and 5.739 keV for Ce4+. The scintillation efficiency of CeF3-doped phosphate glass with a concentration of 0.50 mol% was found to be 60.63% when compared to BGO crystal. Additionally, the decay time is extremely fast, varying from 17.52 to 25.93 ns, which is a critical attribute in the development of radiation detectors. In addition, X-ray imaging was conducted to investigate its potential efficacy in scintillator applications for X-ray imaging. The X-ray imaging investigation had a spatial resolution of 10 lp/mm with an MTF of 0.25. The results suggest that CeF3-doped phosphate glass has the potential to serve as a scintillator in X-ray imaging systems.

Newly developed CeO2 and Gd2O3-reinforced borosilicate glasses from municipal waste ash and their optical, structural, and gamma-ray shielding properties

From the useless municipal solid waste (MSW) ashes, CeO2, Gd2O3 and CeO2 + Gd2O3 doped borosilicate glasses were organized via melting-quenching procedure. Various optical, structural, physical and radiation shielding parameters were examined towards the influence of 100 kGy of γ-radiation. UV–visible NIR spectra revealed UV peaks at 351, 348 and 370 nm corresponding to the trivalent states of Ce3+ and Gd3+ ions, while, photoluminescence (PL) spectra displayed asymmetric broad excitations of Ce3+ and Gd3+ ions due to 4f → 5d transitions, and emission intense bands at 412, 434, and 417 nm. CIE chromaticity shows that Gd3+ ions increase the luminescence of Ce3+. FTIR absorption bands revealed an overlapping between tetrahedral groups of silicate (SiO4), with trigonal (BO3) and tetrahedral (BO4) units of borate. The influence of 100 kGy obtains quite reduction in UV–visible NIR and PL peaks, large stability in FTIR and ESR spectra, and stability of thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) as well. The whole data revealed optical, structural and physical stability of glasses after irradiation besides an enhancement in microhardness owing to more structural compactness and high bonding connectivity. Radiation shielding parameters from Phy-X/PSD program showed higher values of mass (MAC) and linear attenuation coefficients (LAC), and effective atomic number (Zeff) in the order of; glass Ce+Gd > glass Ce > glass Gd. Ce + Gd doped glass revealed also the lowest half value layer (HVL) comparing to other shielding commercial concretes. The study recommends the beneficial and economical use of the useless MSW ash to produce CeO2 and/or Gd2O3 borosilicate glasses with hopeful radiation shielding features.

Ce[formula omitted] ion-induced distortion in a perovskite-structured KMgF3 single crystal

We investigate the local structural distortion induced by ▪ ion in a (cubic) perovskite-structured KMgF3 crystal for potential vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) applications. The crystal with 1.0 mol% nominal doping concentration exhibits five absorption bands centered at 196, 203, 209, 227, and 233 nm and two emission bands centered at 266 and 282 nm. These absorption and emission bands are attributed to the 4f−5d transitions of the ▪ ion. Our Ce K- and ▪-edge XAS analyses confirm the presence of ▪ oxidation state in the KMgF3 crystal. Our analyses reveal a significantly distorted coordination environment which has a coordination number (CN) of 5.03±0.55 and an average Ce–F bond length of 2.44±0.01 Å. Strong mixing of the 4f and 5d states and large ligand-field effects are also implied in the Ce ▪-edge XANES spectrum, as evidenced by an intense pre-edge peak. Optically, these mixing and ligand field effects conform to the large crystal field splitting of 1.03 eV (8285 ▪ ). Although this was the case, ▪ -doped KMgF3 remains a candidate VUV optical material due to its small Stokes shift of 0.64eV (5141 ▪ ).

Piperidine and isobutyl-nitrite fuels for the combustion synthesis of nanomaterials: A study of crystal structure, microstructure, thermodynamics, and optical properties

In this research, the fuels of piperidine (C5H11N) and isobutyl nitrite (C4H9NO2) were used to produce YVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles. To remove the remaining organic materials and also to improve the crystal structure, these materials were calcined at 800 and 1000 °C, and then the particle size and morphology of the synthesized nanostructures were monitored using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the type of consumed fuel and also the calcination temperature result in significant effects on the morphology of the nanostructures as well as the obtained luminescence properties. The use of isobutyl nitrite and piperidine leads to synthesis of homogeneous powders with particle sizes of 38 and 100 nm, respectively. The Rietveld calculations revealed that the growth of the mentioned particles through calcination at 800 °C leads to a reduction of microstrains from 0.00137 to 0.00048 and 0.00126 to 0.00044, respectively. The exciting of these materials by the wavelength of 307 nm causes the creation of a powerful emission spectrum with the highest intensities at the wavelengths of 594 and 624 nm, which originate from the electron transitions of 5D0–7F1 and 5D0–7F2, respectively. Also, the photoluminescence emission of phosphors synthesized by isobutyl nitrite is higher than that of piperidine, which this phenomenon is consistent with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) results which proved that the crystallinity of the phosphors synthesized by isobutyl nitrite is higher than that of piperidine.

Computational and optoelectronic investigations of red-emissive europium (III) β-diketonate with n-donor ligands for display applications

Europium complexes exhibiting red luminescence were prepared by employing β-diketone as main ligand and 1,10-phenanthroline as an additional ligand. Various methods, including 1H NMR, IR spectroscopy and analysis of optical band gap were employed to examine these complexes. The luminescent photophysical properties were investigated using PL spectroscopy and theoretical calculations were conducted to explore radiative transitions probabilities and Judd-Ofelt (J-O) parameters for transitions of type 5D0 → 7F2, 4. J-O parameters were determined using the JOES computer program and results were in good agreement with the outcomes obtained experimentally. The luminescence analysis results have verified the vibrant, single-color red emission of the prepared complexes. The band gap of ternary europium complexes, determined optically, electronically, and theoretically, falls within the range of 3–4 eV. This similarity indicates that these complexes are potentially suitable as semiconductor materials. The results from absorption, electrochemical and photophysical analyses indicate the potential use of synthesized complexes in lighting and display applications.

Lattice distortion effects induced by Li+ co-doping on ZnO:Tb3+ phosphors: Photoluminescence and unusual hypersensitive ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₀ transition

A series of Tb3+, Li+ co-doped ZnO phosphors were prepared using a precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the successful incorporation of Tb3+ into the ZnO lattice. The influence of Tb3+ doping content and Li+ charge compensator on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of ZnO:Tb3+ was investigated. Under UV excitation, emissions corresponding to electron transitions 5D4→7FJ (J = 0,1,2,3,4,5,6) were observed from Tb3+ ions, including an unusual emission transition at 673 nm, which significantly enriches our understanding of Tb3+ luminescence. The critical concentration quenching of Tb3+ in ZnO:Tb3+ occurs at 7 mol%, as explained by the Van Uitert equation, which attributes this phenomenon to dipole-dipole interactions. Surprisingly, incorporating Li+ for charge balancing led to a reduction in the luminescence intensity of ZnO:7 mol%Tb3+, x%Li+ phosphors (x = 0.01 and 0.07) at 544 nm. This reduction highlights an increased degree of lattice distortion due to Li⁺ inclusion. Furthermore, CIE chromaticity analysis showed that the optimal doping concentration of 0.07 Tb³⁺ shifted the color coordinates towards vivid green, with a color temperature of approximately 6241 K, indicating of neutral white light.

Intense emission at 605 nm from Pr3+-doped fluorotellurite glass fibers.

Pr3+-doped fluorotellurite glass fibers (PDFTFs) were fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method. By using a 976/1400 nm dual-wavelength upconversion pump technique, an intense emission at 605 nm was obtained from a 6 cm long PDFTF, which was attributed to the transition 1D2 → 3H4 of Pr3+ ions. With an increase in power of the 1400 nm laser from ∼34 to ∼136 mW, the spectral bandwidth of the 605 nm emission decreased and the intensity of the 605 nm emission increased monotonically, indicating the generation of 605 nm amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of 605 nm ASE in PDFTFs. Our results showed that PDFTFs had the potential for constructing red fiber lasers and amplifiers.

1,1,1-Trifluoro-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexanedione based ternary complexes of Eu(III): Synthesis, structural and luminescence investigations

In this current study, we have synthesized four europium(III) complexes utilizing a tri-fluorinated β-diketone moiety: 1,1,1-trifluoro-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexanedione (TFDH) with auxiliary ligand: 2,2′- bipyridine and its derivatives. FTIR, UV–Vis and luminescence spectroscopic characterizations were implemented for evaluation of the bonding and luminous characteristics in synthesized europium(III) complexes. Eight-coordination environment around Eu3+ ion has been demonstrated by 1H NMR spectral data. Photoluminescence (PL) study of these complexes has been carried out in powdered form. Characteristic red emitting behavior of Eu(III) ion was observed corresponds to the transition of 5D0→7F2 in PL spectra of Eu(III) complexes. The CIE (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage) chroma coordinates 1931 and CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) values were derived from the information obtained from the emission spectra. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ωτ) and excited state deactivation time (τ) in solid state have also been estimated. In the synthesized Eu(III) complexes, the europium ion was present in a highly polarizable ligand field, as demonstrated by the higher values of Ω2. Values of band gap i.e. optical and electronic as well as the red luminous nature of prepared complexes showed up their utilization in display devices.