Tuneable blue to orange phosphor from Sm3+ doped ZnAl2O4 nanomaterials

S.P. Khambule; S.V. Motloung; T.E. Motaung; L.F. Koao; R.E. Kroon; M.A. Malimabe

Results in Optics (Dec 2022)

Tuneable blue to orange phosphor from Sm3+ doped ZnAl2O4 nanomaterials

S.P. Khambule,
S.V. Motloung,
T.E. Motaung,
L.F. Koao,
R.E. Kroon,
M.A. Malimabe

Affiliations

S.P. Khambule: Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State (Qwa Qwa Campus), Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa; Corresponding authors.
S.V. Motloung: Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Private Bag X1, Mthatha, South Africa; Department of Physics, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, P. O. Box 94, Medunsa 0204, South Africa
T.E. Motaung: Department of Chemistry, School of Science in the College of Science Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Preller Street, Muckleneuk Ridge, City of Tshwane, P. O. Box 392, UNISA, 0003, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, P. O. Box 94, Medunsa 0204, South Africa
L.F. Koao: Department of Physics, University of the Free State (Qwa Qwa Campus), Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa
R.E. Kroon: Department of Physics, University of the Free State (Bloemfontein Campus), P. O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
M.A. Malimabe: Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State (Qwa Qwa Campus), Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa; Corresponding authors.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9
p. 100280

Abstract

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Undoped and Sm3+ doped ZnAl2O4 nanopowders were synthesized using the co-precipitation method and annealed at 750 ℃ for 3.5 h. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of varying the Sm3+ concentration on the ZnAl2O4 structure, morphology, and optical properties. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the samples have a face-centred cubic structure. Crystallite size decreased with an increase in Sm3+ concentration. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the addition of Sm3+ slightly influence the morphology of the samples. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed a slight decrease in particle sizes. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed the anticipated elemental composition. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy showed an increase in bandgap compared to the host. Photoluminescence analysis indicated that doping with Sm3+ induced defects within ZnAl2O4. The emission peaks observed around 380, 401, 451, 500, and 739 nm are attributed to host material. The emission peaks at 564, 601, and 649 nm correspond to the 5G5/2 → 6H5/2, 6H7/2, and 6H9/2 transition of Sm3+, respectively. The highest luminescence intensity was found for the 0.5 % Sm3+ sample. The CIE colour chromaticity diagram showed that the emission colour could be tuned from bluish to nearly white to orange.

Published in Results in Optics

ISSN: 2666-9501 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Physics: Optics. Light
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/results-in-optics

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