Improved morphology and optimized luminescence of Eu3+-doped La2Ce2O7 composite nanopowders by surfactant-assisted solution combustion synthesis

abstract

In this paper, the red-emitting La2Ce2O7:Eu3+ composite nanopowders were successfully prepared via simple solution combustion synthesis (SCS) and surfactant (polyvinyl alcohol)-assisted solution combustion synthesis (PVACS), and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra, as well as fluorescent decay measurements. The X-ray diffraction results suggested the formation of La2Ce2O7 composite solid solution, and the introduction of Eu had little influence on the structure of the composite. The La2Ce2O7:Eu3+ composite showed controlled nanopowders (from 10 to 120 nm) with well-distributed morphologies under the assistance of certain amount of surfactant and subsequent heat-treatment process. The photoluminescence measurements indicated that the samples could be efficiently excited with blue light (467 nm), and exhibited the characteristic red emission of Eu3+ ion at 616 nm corresponding to the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition. The optimal concentration of activator Eu3+ ion was confirmed at about 15 mol% as the total amount of cations was considered. Moreover, the relative emission intensity, fluorescent lifetime and quantum efficiency of the La2Ce2O7:Eu3+ composite powders prepared by PVACS were compared with those achieved by simple SCS and traditional solid state reaction, which further confirmed the merits by PVACS. These results may facilitate the optimized composite nanopowders as a potential candidate for solid state lighting owing to the coincidence of 467 nm excitation light with the emission of InGaN chips in white light-emitting-diodes.

keywords

OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY; PHOTOLUMINESCENCE; EMISSION

subject category

Optics

authors

Shi, SK; Yang, YF; Guo, PP; Wang, JY; Geng, LN; Fu, LS

our authors

acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (Grant No. E2015205159), China, Science Foundation of Hebei Education Department (Grant No. ZD2014045), China, and High Level Talents Foundation in Hebei Province (Grant No. C201400327), China. This work was also developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement.

Share this project:

Related Publications

We use cookies for marketing activities and to offer you a better experience. By clicking “Accept Cookies” you agree with our cookie policy. Read about how we use cookies by clicking "Privacy and Cookie Policy".