Optical characteristics of sol-gel derived M3SiO5:Eu3+ (M?=?Sr, Ca and Mg) nanophosphors for display device technology

摘要

A series of trivalent europium-doped M_(3)SiO_(5) (M?=?Sr, Ca and Mg) phosphors were synthesized using sol–gel process at 950°C. Samples were further reheated at high temperature to study the effect of reheating on crystal structure and optical characteristics. X-ray diffraction measurement of these materials was carried out to know the crystal structure. Diffraction pattern showed monoclinic structure having space group Cm for Ca_(3)SiO_(5) materials. However, tetragonal phase with space group P 4cc was observed for Sr_(3)SiO_(5) materials. Mg_(3)SiO_(5) material show mixed diffraction peaks at 950 and 1,150°C. Transmission electron microscopic analysis was used to estimate the particle size of silicates. Photoluminescence emission spectra were recorded to check the luminescence properties of prepared materials. These phosphors exhibited a strong orange-red light under excitation at 395?nm. The prepared phosphors exhibited most intense peak in 610–620?nm region due to the ~(5)D_(0)→~(7)F_(2) transition of europium (III) ion available in lattice. To overcome the deficiency of red silicates, M_(3)SiO_(5) materials were explored and they might be integrated with ultraviolet LEDs to generate light which may be suitable for display applications.