Structural, morphological, and photoluminescence properties of RE (RE = Dy3+, Eu3+, Sm3+)-doped CaAlBO4 phosphor synthesized by combustion method

Abstract

The CaAlBO₄:RE (RE = Dy³⁺, Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺) phosphor were prepared via combustion synthesis and studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and CIE coordinates. The phase formation of the obtained phosphor was analyzed by XRD and the result was confirmed by standard PDF Card No. 1539083. XRD data successfully indicated pure phase of CaAlBO₄ phosphor. The crystal structure of CaAlBO₄ phosphor is orthorhombic with space group Ccc2 (37). The SEM image of CaAlBO₄ phosphor reveals an agglomerated morphology and non-uniform particle size. The EDS image provides evidence of the elements present and the chemical makeup of the materials. Under the 350 nm excitation, the emission spectrum of Dy³⁺ activated CaAlBO₄ phosphor consists of two main groups of characteristic peaks located at 484 and 577 nm which are ascribed to ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 transition of Dy³⁺ respectively. The PL emission spectra of CaAlBO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor shows characteristics bands observed around 591 and 613 nm, which corresponds to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ respectively, upon 395 nm excitation wavelength. The emission spectra of Sm³⁺ activated CaAlBO₄ phosphor shows three characteristic bands observed at 565, 601 and 648 nm which emits yellow, orange and red color. The prominent emission peak at the wavelength 601 nm, which is attributed to ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 transition, displays an orange emission. The CIE color coordinates of CaAlBO₄:RE (RE = Dy³⁺, Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺) phosphor are calculated to be (0.631, 0.368), (0.674, 0.325) and (0.073, 0.185). As per the obtained results, CaAlBO₄:RE (RE = Dy³⁺, Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺) phosphor may be applicable in eco-friendly lightning technology.