Effects of varying Sm3+ concentration on the structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties of the BaAl2O4 /CaAl2O4/Ca4Al6O13/Ca3Al2O6:x% Sm3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.9) mixed phases using citrate sol-gel method

A. Bele; M.R. Mhlongo; L.F. Koao; T.E. Motaung; T.D. Malevu; T.T. Hlatshwayo; S. Mpelane; M. Mlambo; S.V. Motloung

Heliyon (Dec 2022)

Effects of varying Sm3+ concentration on the structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties of the BaAl2O4 /CaAl2O4/Ca4Al6O13/Ca3Al2O6:x% Sm3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.9) mixed phases using citrate sol-gel method

A. Bele,
M.R. Mhlongo,
L.F. Koao,
T.E. Motaung,
T.D. Malevu,
T.T. Hlatshwayo,
S. Mpelane,
M. Mlambo,
S.V. Motloung

Affiliations

A. Bele: Department of Physics, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, P. O. Box 94, Medunsa, 0204, South Africa; Corresponding author.
M.R. Mhlongo: Department of Physics, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, P. O. Box 94, Medunsa, 0204, South Africa
L.F. Koao: Department of Physics, University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus), Private Bag X 13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa
T.E. Motaung: Department of Chemistry, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, P. O. Box 65, Medunsa, 0204, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, University of South Africa, P.O. Box 392, UNISA 0003, South Africa
T.D. Malevu: Department of Physics, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, P. O. Box 94, Medunsa, 0204, South Africa
T.T. Hlatshwayo: Department of Physics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
S. Mpelane: Analytical Facility, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box: 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
M. Mlambo: Department of Physics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa; Health Platform, Advanced Materials Division, Mintek, 200 Malibongwe Drive, Randburg, South Africa
S.V. Motloung: Department of Physics, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, P. O. Box 94, Medunsa, 0204, South Africa; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, 3886, South Africa; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8, no. 12
p. e12573

Abstract

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BaAl2O4/CaAl2O4/Ca4Al6O13/Ca3Al2O6:x% Sm3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.9) (hereafter called BCCC:x% Sm3+) nanophosphors were successfully prepared by citrate sol-gel method. The structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties of the prepared nanophosphors were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the nanophosphors composed of the mixed phases of the hexagonal (CaAl2O4, BaAl2O4) and cubic (Ca4Al6O13, Ca3Al2O6) crystal structures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that doping influences the morphology of the prepared nanophosphor. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) confirmed that the prepared phosphor particles are in the nanoscale range. Photoluminescence (PL) results showed emission peaks originating from the intrinsic defects within the BaAl2O4, CaAl2O4 and Sm3+ transitions. The optimum luminescence intensity was found at 0.7% Sm3+. Commission Internationale de l'éclairage (CIE) shows that the Sm3+ doped samples emitted the orange colour.

Published in Heliyon

ISSN: 2405-8440 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Science (General); Social Sciences: Social sciences (General)
Website: https://www.cell.com/heliyon/home

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