Optical characteristics of sol-gel derived M3SiO5:Eu3+ (M = Sr, Ca and Mg) nanophosphors for display device technology

Abstract A series of trivalent europium-doped M3SiO5 (M = Sr, Ca and Mg) phosphors were synthesized using sol–gel process at 950°C. Samples were further reheated at high temperature to study the effect of reheating on crystal structure and optical characteristics. X-ray diffraction measurement of these materials was carried out to know the crystal structure. Diffraction pattern showed monoclinic structure having space group Cm for Ca3SiO5 materials. However, tetragonal phase with space group P4/ncc was observed for Sr3SiO5 materials. Mg3SiO5 material show mixed diffraction peaks at 950 and 1,150°C. Transmission electron microscopic analysis was used to estimate the particle size of silicates. Photoluminescence emission spectra were recorded to check the luminescence properties of prepared materials. These phosphors exhibited a strong orange-red light under excitation at 395 nm. The prepared phosphors exhibited most intense peak in 610–620 nm region due to the 5D0→7F2 transition of europium (III) ion available in lattice. To overcome the deficiency of red silicates, M3SiO5 materials were explored and they might be integrated with ultraviolet LEDs to generate light which may be suitable for display applications.