Novel multiband luminescence of Y2Zr2O7:Eu3+, R3+ (R = Ce, Bi) orange–red phosphors via a sol–gel combustion approach

Abstract A novel class of orange-red phosphors Y 2 Zr 2 O 7 :Eu 3+ , R 3+ (R = Ce, Bi) was successfully fabricated by a facile sol–gel combustion method. XRD, TG–DTA and SEM results show that the heat-treatment of the powders at 800  o C is enough to obtain highly crystallized Y 2 Zr 2 O 7 samples. Photoluminescence spectra of the Eu 3+ -doped nanoparticles illuminated the simultaneous occurrence of several intense orange–red band emissions corresponding to the f–f transitions 5 D 0 – 7 F J ( J  = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) of Eu 3+ under 395 nm excitation. The photoluminescence spectra of Y 2 Zr 2 O 7 :Eu 3+ , R 3+ (R = Ce, Bi) showed that the luminescence intensity of Y 2 Zr 2 O 7 :Eu 3+ was greatly enhanced by Ce 3+ and Bi 3+ by 260% and 165%, respectively. The possible sensitization mechanisms of Ce 3+ and Bi 3+ on Eu 3+ emission intensity have been investigated and discussed in detail. The high brightness confirmed the potential applications of the phosphors in display devices and light-emitting diodes.