Visible to infrared low temperature luminescence of Er3+, Nd3+ and Sm3+ in CaSnO3 phosphors

Novel Tb³⁺-Doped LaAl₂B₄O₁₀ phosphors: Structural analysis, luminescent properties, and energy transfer mechanism

This study explores the structural and luminescent properties of terbium (Tb³⁺)-doped lanthanum aluminium borate (LaAl₂B₄O₁₀, abbreviated as LAB) phosphors, a novel host lattice for Tb³⁺ doping. LAB:Tb³⁺ phosphors, with varying dopant concentrations, were synthesized using a microwave-assisted combustion synthesis approach and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, and photoluminescence spectroscopy at both room and low temperatures. The structural analysis confirmed the hexagonal crystal structure of LAB and revealed successful incorporation of Tb³⁺ ions without altering the fundamental lattice. Luminescence studies demonstrated that the LAB:Tb³⁺ phosphors show strong green emission primarily attributed to the 5D4→7F5 transition of Tb³⁺. The optimal doping concentration was determined to be 5 wt% Tb³⁺, which provided maximum luminescence efficiency. This concentration also allowed for a critical study of energy transfer mechanisms within the phosphor, revealing dipole-dipole interactions with a critical distance of 9.80 Å between Tb³⁺ ions. Additionally, the CIE chromaticity coordinates of LAB:0.05 Tb³⁺ were precisely determined to be (0.289, 0.4460), indicating the potential for high-quality green emission suitable for solid-state lighting and display technologies. This work not only demonstrates the potential of LAB:Tb3+ as a highly efficient green luminescent material, but also sheds light on the mechanisms responsible for energy transfer and concentration quenching.

Novel Sm3+ doped YCa4O(BO3)3 phosphors: Structural and, low and room temperature luminescent insights

Inorganic phosphors, known for their ability to capture energy from various sources and emit visible light, have become essential in the development of advanced lighting and display technologies. This study explores YCa4O(BO3)3 (YCOB) as a potential host material for phosphors, focusing on the luminescent properties of YCOB phosphors doped with Sm3+ ions. The successful integration of Sm3+ ions into the YCOB host lattice is confirmed through structural characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Photoluminescence (PL) studies reveal distinct emission spectra with Stark energy level splitting, indicating a cooperative effect between Y3+ and Sm3+ ions. Concentration quenching, mainly attributed to dipole-dipole (d-q) interactions, is observed at higher Sm3+ concentrations. Temperature-dependent PL measurements demonstrate thermal quenching at lower temperatures and increased emission intensity with higher laser power. Thermal quenching is explained by reduced lattice vibrations and electron-phonon interactions, leading to decreased radiative recombination of charge carriers. The CIE chromaticity data position the samples in the orange-red region, emitting vibrant orange-red light. This comprehensive investigation provides insights into the synthesis and luminescent properties of YCOB:Sm3+ phosphors, highlighting their potential applications in luminescent devices.

CaSnO3: Pr3+ phosphor for new application in temperature sensing

CaSnO₃: Pr³⁺ phosphor for new application in temperature sensing was investigated. CaSnO₃: 0.3%Pr³⁺ had distorted orthorhombic perovskite structure and Pr³⁺ occupied Ca²⁺ sites due to their similar ionic radii. CaSnO₃: 0.3%Pr³⁺ had spherical particles with mean size of 0.816 μm. The electric dipole-dipole interaction could explain the concentration quenching mechanism. The chromaticity coordinates were (0.1324, 0.3847), located in greenish-blue region and the average afterglow decay time was 60.2 s for CaSnO₃: 0.15%Pr³⁺, which had potential applications for LED and emergency lighting. CaSnO₃: 0.3%Pr³⁺ had the activated energy of 0.380 eV. The maximum relative temperature sensitivity for CaSnO₃: 0.3%Pr³⁺ was 7.57% K^-1 at 298 K and relative sensitivity was as high as 6722.76/T² K^-1, which was better than that of most Pr³⁺ doped phosphors and had potential application in temperature sensing. Moreover, the possible luminescence and long afterglow mechanisms and thermal quenching process of ³P₀ level through IVCT state were proposed.

A quantum-mechanical investigation of oxygen vacancies and copper doping in the orthorhombic CaSnO3 perovskite

In this study we explore the implications of oxygen vacancy formation and of copper doping in the orthorhombic CaSnO3 perovskite, by means of density functional theory, focusing on energetic and electronic properties. In particular, the electronic charge distribution is analyzed by Mulliken, Hirshfeld-I, Bader and Wannier approaches. Calculations are performed at the PBE and the PBE0 level (for doping with Cu, only PBE0), with both spin-restricted and spin-unrestricted formulations; unrestricted calculations are used for spin-polarized cases and for the naturally open-shell cases (Cu doping). An oxygen vacancy is found to have the tendency to reduce Sn neighbors by giving rise to an energy band within the energy band-gap of the pristine system, close to the valence band. At variance with what happens in the CaTiO3 perovskite (also investigated here), an oxygen vacancy in the CaSnO3 perovskite is found to lose two valence electrons and thus to be positively charged so that no F-center is formed. Regarding Cu doping, when one Sn atom is substituted by a Cu one, the most stable configuration corresponds to having the Cu atom as a first neighbor to the vacancy. These findings shed some light on the catalytic and phosphorous host properties of this perovskite.