Luminescent and thermal properties of novel orange–red emitting MgNb2O6:Sm3+ phosphors for displays, photo catalytic and sensor applications

• Published in: SN applied sciences Vol. 3; no. 1; p. 54
• Main Authors: Basavaraju, N., Prashantha, S. C., Nagabhushana, H., Naveen Kumar, A., Chandrasekhar, M., Shashi Shekhar, T. R., Ravikumar, C. R., Anil Kumar, M. R., Surendra, B. S., Nagaswarupa, H. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: 4. Materials (general); Applied and Technical Physics; Catalytic activity; Cations; Chemical composition; Chemistry/Food Science; Crystal structure; Dipole interactions; Display devices; Earth Sciences; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrochemistry; Emission analysis; Emission spectra; Emissions; Engineering; Environment; Investigations; Light emitting diodes; Luminescence; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Nanophosphors; Optical properties; Paracetamol; Phosphors; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Photoluminescence; Photons; Redox reactions; Research Article; Samarium; Scanning electron microscopy; Sensors; Software; Spectroscopy; Thermal properties; Thermodynamic properties; Ultraviolet radiation; Judd–Ofelt; Photocatalytic; Chemical Sensor; Photoluminescence; Cyclic voltammogram; MgNb; Sm; O
• ISSN: 2523-3963; 2523-3971
• DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-04095-x

Novel Sm
3+
doped columbite-type orthorhombic structured MgNb
2
O
6
(MNO) orange-red emitting phosphors were prepared by solution combustion method using ODH as a fuel. The powder phase purity, particle morphology, size, elemental composition, luminescence properties, photocatalytic behaviors and electrochemical studies of prepared samples were studied in detail. Photoluminescence emission spectra of MNO:Sm
3+
nanophosphors show all the characteristic emissions of Sm
3+
cations corresponds to the transitions
4
G
5/2
 → 
6
H
j/2(j=5,7,9,11)
when excited at 463 nm energy. Among these the strongest emission peak was at 608 nm which corresponds to
4
G
5/2
 → 
6
H
7/2
transition of Sm
3+
cations in the host lattice. The luminescence quenching was confirmed by the dipole–dipole interaction among Sm
3+
ions. As a result of J-O analysis the branching ratio (~ 58% > 50%) show that the phosphor was highly suitable for color display devices. Photocatalytic activity of MNO:Sm
3+
(5 mol%) under UV light shows 99% degradation of AR-88 dye. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) confirms the reversibility of the redox reaction, which helps in sensing the presence of paracetamol and alcohol. Thus, MNO:Sm
3+
phosphors have great potential applications in display, catalytic, photonic, chemical and thermal sensor applications.