MgO:Eu3+ red nanophosphor: low temperature synthesis and photoluminescence properties

Low temperature-synthesized MgAl2 O4 :Eu3+ nanophosphors and their structural validations using density functional theory: photoluminescence, photocatalytic, and electrochemical properties for multifunctional applications

A low temperature-assisted and oxalyl dihydrazide fuel-induced combustion synthesized series of uncalcined MgAl2 O4 :Eu3+ nanophosphors showed an average crystallite size of ~20 nm, and bandgap energy (Eg ) of 4.50-5.15 eV, and were validated using density functional theory and found to match closely with the experimental values. The photoluminescence characteristic emission peaks of Eu3+ ions were recorded between 480 and 680 nm. The nanophosphors excited at 392 nm showed f-f transitions assigned as 5 D0 →7 FJ (J = 0, 1, 2, and 3). The optimized MgAl2 O4 phosphors had Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates in the red region, a correlated colour temperature of 2060 K, and a colour purity of 98.83%. The estimated luminescence quantum efficiency ( η ) was observed to be ~63% using Judd-Ofelt analysis. Electrochemical and photocatalytic performance were explored and indicated its multifunctional applications. Therefore, MgAl2 O4 :Eu3+ nanophosphors could be used for the fabrication of light-emitting diodes, industrial dye degradation, and as electrodes for supercapacitor applications.

Structures and properties of Mg0.95Mn0.01TM0.04O (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel auto combustion technique

The room temperature structural, optical and dielectric properties of Mg0.95Mn0.05O and Mg0.95Mn0.01TM0.04O (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) nanoparticles are reported. All transition metal nanocrystalline samples were successfully prepared by sol-gel auto combustion method. X-ray powder diffraction patterns at room temperature confirmed the formation of single-phase cubic structure with an Fm3̄m space group for all prepared samples. Slight variation in the lattice parameter of TM doped Mg0.95Mn0.05O has been observed. Using Rietveld refinement of XRD data, the space group and lattice parameters are determined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements were performed to understand the morphology and grain size of the Mg0.95Mn0.01TM0.04O (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) nanocrystals. The estimated band gaps as calculated by using UV-Vis spectroscopy are found to be 3.59, 3.61, 5.63 and 3.55 eV for Mg0.95Mn0.05O and Mg0.95Mn0.01TM0.04O (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) nanocrystals, respectively. Both dielectric constant and dielectric loss is found to decrease due to TM (transition metal) doping. The ac conductivity is found to increase with increase in frequency. Electric modulus spectra reflect the contributions from grain effects: the large resolved semicircle arc caused by the grain effect. The results obtained in this study were discussed comparatively with those cited in the literature.

Solution Combustion Synthesis of Nanoscale Materials

Solution combustion is an exciting phenomenon, which involves propagation of self-sustained exothermic reactions along an aqueous or sol-gel media. This process allows for the synthesis of a variety of nanoscale materials, including oxides, metals, alloys, and sulfides. This Review focuses on the analysis of new approaches and results in the field of solution combustion synthesis (SCS) obtained during recent years. Thermodynamics and kinetics of reactive solutions used in different chemical routes are considered, and the role of process parameters is discussed, emphasizing the chemical mechanisms that are responsible for rapid self-sustained combustion reactions. The basic principles for controlling the composition, structure, and nanostructure of SCS products, and routes to regulate the size and morphology of the nanoscale materials are also reviewed. Recently developed systems that lead to the formation of novel materials and unique structures (e.g., thin films and two-dimensional crystals) with unusual properties are outlined. To demonstrate the versatility of the approach, several application categories of SCS produced materials, such as for energy conversion and storage, optical devices, catalysts, and various important nanoceramics (e.g., bio-, electro-, magnetic), are discussed.

Shape tailored green synthesis of CeO₂:Ho³⁺ nanopowders, its structural, photoluminescence and gamma radiation sensing properties

CeO2:Ho(3+) (1-9 mol%) nanopowders have been prepared by efficient and environmental friendly green combustion method using Aloe vera gel as fuel for the first time. The final products are well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Bell, urchin, core shell and flower like morphologies are observed with different concentrations of the A. vera gel. It is apparent that by adjusting the concentration of the gel, considerable changes in the formation of CeO2:Ho(3+) nano structures can be achieved. Photoluminescence (PL) studies show green (543, 548 nm) and red (645, 732 nm) emissions upon excited at 400 nm wavelength. The emission peaks at ∼526, 548, 655 and 732 nm are associated with the transitions of (5)F3→(5)I8, (5)S2→(5)I8, (5)F5→(5)I8 and (5)S2→(5)I7, respectively. Three TL glow peaks are observed at 118, 267 and 204°C for all the γ irradiated samples which specify the surface and deeper traps. Linear TL response in the range 0.1-2kGy shows that phosphor is fairly useful as γ radiation dosimeter. Kinetic parameters associated with the glow peaks are estimated using Chen's half width method. The CIE coordinate values show that phosphor is quite useful for the possible applications in WLEDs as orange red phosphor.

Bio-inspired route for the synthesis of spherical shaped MgO:Fe(3+) nanoparticles: Structural, photoluminescence and photocatalytic investigation

MgO:Fe(3+) (0.1-5 mol%) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via eco-friendly, inexpensive and simple low temperature solution combustion route using Aloe vera gel as fuel. The final products were characterized by SEM, TEM and HRTEM. PXRD data and Rietveld analysis revealed the formation of cubic system. The influence of Fe(3+) ion concentration on the structure morphology, UV absorption, PL emission and photocatalytic activity of MgO:Fe(3+) NPs were investigated. The yellow emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.44, 0.52) and average correlated color temperature value was found to be 3540 K which corresponds to warm light of NPs. The control of Fe(3+) on MgO matrix influences the photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue (MB) under UV light. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of MgO:Fe(3+) (4 mol%) was attributed to dopant concentration, effective crystallite size, textural properties, decreased band gap and capability for reducing the electron-hole pair recombination. Further, the trends of inhibitory effect in the presence of different radical scavengers were explored. These findings open up new avenues for the exploration of Fe-doped MgO in eco-friendly water applications and in the process of display devices.

Leucas aspera mediated multifunctional CeO2 nanoparticles: Structural, photoluminescent, photocatalytic and antibacterial properties

Spherical shaped cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via bio mediated route using Leucas aspera (LA) leaf extract. The NPs were characterized by PXRD, SEM, UV-Visible techniques. Photoluminescence (PL), photocatalysis and antibacterial properties of NPs were studied. PXRD patterns and Rietveld analysis confirm cubic fluorite structure with space group Fm-3m. SEM results evident that morphology of the NPs was greatly influenced by the concentration of LA leaf extract in the reaction mixture. The band gap energy of the NPs was found to be in the range of 2.98-3.4 eV. The photocatalytic activity of NPs was evaluated by decolorization of Rhodamine-B (RhB) under UVA and Sun light irradiation. CeO2 NPs show intense blue emission with CIE coordinates (0.14, 0.22) and average color coordinated temperature value ∼148,953 K. Therefore the present NPs quite useful for cool LEDs. The superior photocatalytic activity was observed for CeO2 NPs with 20 ml LA under both UVA and Sunlight irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity and photoluminescent properties were attributed to defect induced band gap engineered CeO2 NPs. Further, CeO2 with 20 ml LA exhibit significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (EC) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA). These findings show great promise of CeO2 NPs as multifunctional material for various applications.

Bio-inspired synthesis of Y2O3: Eu(3+) red nanophosphor for eco-friendly photocatalysis

We report the synthesis of Y2O3: Eu(3+) (1-11 mol%) nanoparticles (NPs) with different morphologies via eco-friendly, inexpensive and simple low temperature solution combustion method using Aloe Vera gel as fuel. The formation of different morphologies of Y2O3: Eu(3+) NPs were characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, UV-Visible and PL techniques. The PXRD data and Rietveld analysis confirms the formation of single phase Y2O3 with cubic crystal structure. The influence of Eu(3+) ion concentration on the morphology, UV-Visible absorption, PL emission and photocatalytic activity of Y2O3: Eu(3+) nanostructures were investigated. Y2O3: Eu(3+) NPs exhibit intense red emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.50, 0.47) and correlated color temperature values at different excitation ranges from 1868 to 2600 K. The control of Eu(3+) ion on Y2O3 matrix influences the photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue (MB) as a model compound was evaluated under UVA light. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of conical shaped Y2O3: Eu(3+) (1 mol%) was attributed to dopant concentration, crystallite size, textural properties and capability of reducing the electron-hole pair recombination. The trend of inhibitory effect in the presence of different radical scavengers followed the order SO4(2-)>Cl(-)>C2H5OH>HCO3(-)>CO3(2-). These findings show great promise of Y2O3: Eu(3+) NPs as a red phosphor in warm white LEDs as well as eco-friendly heterogeneous photocatalysis.

Zn2TiO4:Eu(3+) nanophosphor: self explosive route and its near UV excited photoluminescence properties for WLEDs

A simple and low-cost solution combustion method was used to prepare Eu(3+) (1-11mol%) doped Zn2TiO4 nanophosphors at 500°C using zinc nitrates as precursors and oxalyl di-hydrazide (ODH) as fuel. The final product was calcined at 1100°C for 3h and then characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible absorption (UV-Vis). The PXRD patterns of the sample calcined at 1100°C show pure cubic phase. The crystallite size was estimated using Scherrer's method and found to be in the range 20-25nm and the same was confirmed by TEM studies. Effects of Eu(3+) (1-11mol%) cations on the luminescence properties of Zn2TiO4 nanoparticles were studied. The samples exhibit intense red emission upon 395nm near ultra violet (NUV) excitation. The characteristic emission peaks recorded at ∼578, 592, 613 and 654nm may be attributed to the 4f-4f intra shell transitions ((5)D0→(7)Fj=0,1,2,3) of Eu(3+) cations. The CIE chromaticity co-ordinates and CCT were calculated from emission spectra and the values (x, y) were very close to NTSC standard values for red emission and CCT was close to Plankian locus. Therefore, the present phosphor may be highly useful for display applications.

Role of flux on morphology and luminescence properties of Sm(3+) doped Y2SiO5 nanopowders for WLEDs

The study involves preparation of samarium doped Y2SiO5 (YSO) nano powders by solution combustion method using urea as a fuel for the first time. Effect of different fluxes on the crystallization behavior, morphology and photoluminescence (PL) properties of YSO:Sm(3+) (1-9 mol%) were investigated. The final product was characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The average crystallite size estimated by Debye-Scherer's and Williamson-Hall plots were found to be in the range of 10-50 nm. Samples calcined at 1100°C show pure monoclinic X1 phase; whereas, samples calcined at 1200 and 1300°C show pure X2 phase of YSO. Photoluminescence (PL) studies of Sm(3+) (1-9 mol%) doped YSO for near ultra violet (NUV) excitation (407 nm) was studied in order to investigate the possibility of its use in white light emitting diode (WLED) applications. The emission spectra consists of intra 4f transitions of Sm(3+), such as (4)G5/2→(6)H5/2 (∼560 nm), (4)G5/2→(6)H7/2 (600-613 nm), (4)G5/2→(6)H9/2 (∼650 nm), (4)G5/2→(6)H11/2 (715 nm) and (4)G5/2→(6)H13/2 (763 nm) respectively. The emission intensity of the phosphor was found to be enhancing after addition of fluxes. Further, the emission at 600-613 nm show strong orange-red emission and can be applied to the orange-red emission of phosphor for near ultra violet excitation.

Kinetically stabilized aliovalent europium-doped magnesium oxide as a UV sensitized phosphor

Doping of size mismatched aliovalent ions is challenging due to the associated elastic and electronic stress making the thermodynamics unfavorable.

GdAlO3:Eu(3+):Bi(3+) nanophosphor: synthesis and enhancement of red emission for WLEDs

GdAlO3, GdAlO3:Eu(3+) and GdAlO3:Eu(3+):Bi(3+) nanophosphors were synthesised by solution combustion technique. Pure orthorhombic phase was obtained from powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed the porous, agglomerated and irregular shaped particles. The particle size obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurement was in good agreement with the values obtained by Debye Scherrer's and W-H plots. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern show single crystalline nature of the sample. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements were carried out for GdAlO3:Eu(3+) and GdAlO3:Eu(3+):Bi(3+) phosphors excited at a wavelength of 274nm. The characteristic emission peaks of Eu(3+) ions were recorded at 590, 614, 655 and 695nm corresponding to (5)D0→(7)FJ (J=1, 2, 3, 4) transitions respectively. However, with addition of Bi(3+) ions in GdAlO3:Eu(3+), PL intensity drastically enhanced. Orange red color was tuned to deep red color with the addition of Bi(3+) ions in GdAlO3:Eu(3+) phosphor. Therefore, the phosphor was highly useful as red component in WLEDs. A single well resoled glow peak at 225°C was recorded in GdAlO3 and GdAlO3:Eu(3+). Further, with addition of Bi(3+) ions, an additional peak at 300°C was recorded. TL glow curves of different UV-exposed GdAlO3:Eu(3+):Bi(3+) show two TL peaks at 207 and 300°C respectively. The 207°C peak show simple glow peak structure and its intensity increases linearly up to 25min and after that it decrease.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Sm3+ doped CaTiO3 nanophosphor for application in white LED under NUV excitation

CaTiO3:Sm(3+) (1-11 mol%) nanophosphors were successfully synthesized by a low temperature solution combustion method [LCS]. The structural and morphological properties of the phosphors were studied by using Powder X-ray diffractometer (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM studies indicate that the size of the phosphor is ∼20-35 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) properties of Sm(3+) (1-11 mol%) doped CaTiO3 for NUV excitation (407 nm) was studied in order to investigate the possibility of its use in White light emitting diode (WLED) applications. The emission spectra consists of intra 4f transitions of Sm(3+), such as (4)G5/2→(6)H5/2 (561 nm), (4)G5/2→(6)H7/2 (601-611 nm), (4)G5/2→(6)H9/2 (648 nm) and (4)G5/2→(6)H11/2 (703 nm) respectively. Further, the emission at 601-611 nm show strong orange-red emission and can be applied to the orange-red emission of phosphor for the application for near ultra violet (NUV) excitation. Thermoluminescence (TL) of the samples irradiated with gamma source in the dose range 100-500 Gy was recorded at a heating rate of 5°Cs(-1). Two well resolved glow peaks at 164°C and 214°C along with shouldered peak at 186°C were recorded. TL intensity increases up to 300 Gy and thereafter, it decreases with further increase of dose. The kinetic parameters namely activation energy (E), frequency factor (s) and order of kinetics were estimated and results were discussed in detail.