Low temperature synthesis and photoluminescence properties of red emitting Mg2SiO4:Eu3+ nanophosphor for near UV light emitting diodes

Abstract A simple and low-cost solution combustion method was used to prepare Eu 3+ (1–11 mol%) doped Mg 2 SiO 4 nanophosphors at 350 °C using metal nitrates as precursors and ODH (Oxali di-hydrazide) as fuel. The final products were well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV–visible absorption (UV–Vis). The PXRD patterns of the as-formed products show single orthorhombic phase. The crystallite size was estimated using Scherrer's method and found to be in the range 20–25 nm. The effect of Eu 3+ cations on the luminescence properties of Mg 2 SiO 4 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles were understood from the luminescence studies. The phosphors exhibit bright red emission upon 393 nm excitation. The characteristic emission peaks recorded at ∼577, 590, 612, 650 and 703 nm ( 5 D 0  →  7 F J =0,1,2,3,4 ) were attributed to the 4f–4f intra shell transitions of Eu 3+ ions. The intensity of red emission was found to be related with the concentration of intrinsic defects, especially oxygen-vacancies, which could assist the energy transfer from the Mg 2 SiO 4 host to the Eu 3+ ions. The Commission International De I-Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity co-ordinates were calculated from emission spectra, the values ( x , y ) were very close to National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard value of red emission. Therefore, the present phosphor was highly useful for display applications.