Optical characteristics of Eu(III) doped MSiO₃ (M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) nanomaterials for white light emitting applications

Abstract

A series of Eu(III) doped MSiO₃ (M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) nanomaterials of high color purity were prepared using sol–gel technique at 950 °C. Samples were further reheated at 1050 and 1150 °C for 1 h in muffle furnace to study the effect of temperature on the structural aspects and optical characteristic of prepared materials. X-ray diffraction study was used to know the crystal structure of synthesized silicate phosphors. All the prepared materials existed in the single phase and dopant ion have no influence on the crystal structure of host materials. Under 395 nm excitation, photoluminescence emission spectra of silicate materials showed the characteristic red emission in 610–615 nm region due to the electric dipole (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂) transition of europium(III) ion. Color coordinate values of these materials were located in the red region of Commission Internationale de I’Eclairage triangle. Fourier transform infra red spectroscopic studies were used to know the structure and bonding present in these phosphors. Transmission electron microscopic confirmed that the particle size of prepared nanomaterials exist in the nano range. The results suggested that these red emitting phosphors could be useful for generation of white-light emitting diode applications.