Structural and luminescent properties of CaZn2(PO4)2: RE3+ (RE = Er and Pr) nanophosphors for versatile device applications

CaZn2(PO4)2:0.01Er3+ and CaZn2(PO4)2:0.01Pr3+ nanophosphors were prepared through usual solid-state reaction (SSR) technique for device applications. SSR is a well-known technique for commercial mode of manufacturing. The XRD investigations confirmed that the prepared samples were in the nanometer range. Captured FESEM images showed the surface morphology of the samples. EDAX study corroborated the presence of essential elements in the prepared samples. FT-IR spectra verified the functional bands of phosphate groups presented in the samples. The bandgap energies were found from UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy data of the samples via K–M function. Photoluminescence spectra of CaZn2(PO4)2:0.01Er3+ and CaZn2(PO4)2:0.01Pr3+ show that the prepared samples emit light in near-white and orange regions, respectively.