Synthesis and enhanced photoluminescence properties of red emitting divalent ion (Ca2+) doped Eu:Y2O3 nanophosphors for optoelectronic applications

This work presents the synthesis of Y2O3:Eu3+,xCa2+ (x = 0 mol%, 1 mol%, 3 mol%, 5 mol%, 7 mol%, 9 mol%, 11 mol%) nanophosphors with enhanced photoluminescence properties through a facile solution combustion method for optoelectronic, display, and lighting applications. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the proposed nanophosphor reveal its structural properties and crystalline nature. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) results confirm the change in the shape of the particle and aggregation of particles after co-doping with Ca2+. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman vibrations also confirm the presence of Y–O vibration and subsequently explain the crystalline nature, structural properties, and purity of the samples. All the synthesized nanophosphors samples emit intense red emission at 613 nm (5D0→7F2) under excitation with 235, 394 and 466 nm wavelengths of Eu3+ ions. The photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra excited with 235 nm illustrate the highest emission peak with two other emission peaks excited with 466 and 394 nm that is 1.4 times higher than 466 nm and 1.9 times enhanced by 394 nm wavelength, respectively. The emission intensity of Y2O3:Eu3+,xCa2+ (5 mol%) is increased 8-fold as compared to Eu:Y2O3. Doping with Ca2+ ions enhances the emission intensity of Eu:Y2O3 nanophosphors due to an increase in energy transfer in Ca2+→Eu3+ through asymmetry in the crystal field and by introduction of radiative defect centers through oxygen vacancies in the yttria matrix. It is also observed that the optical band gap and the lifetime of the 5D0 level of Eu3+ ions in Y2O3:Eu3+,xCa2+ nanophosphor sample gets changed with a doping concentration of Ca2+ ions. Nanophosphor also reveals high thermal stability and quantum yield as estimating activation energy of 0.25 eV and 81%, respectively. CIE, CCT, and color purity values (>98%) show an improved red-emitting nanophosphor in the warm region of light, which makes this material superior with a specific potential application for UV-based white LEDs with security ink, display devices, and various other optoelectronics devices.