Substitutional effects of the anionic group systems [BO33−], [PO43− ], and [SO42−] on the down-conversion photoluminescence properties of Y2O3:Er3+ nanophosphors

• Published in: Current applied physics Vol. 67; pp. 151 - 163
• Main Authors: Mathe, T.G., Balakrishna, A., Mamo, M.A., Ntwaeaborwa, O.M., Kroon, R.E., Coetsee, L., Swart, H.C., Reddy, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-11-2024
• Subjects: Anionic groups; Photoluminescence; Substitutional effects; Y2O3:Er3+ phosphors; Y2O3:Er3+ phosphors; Anionic groups; Substitutional effects; Photoluminescence
• ISSN: 1567-1739
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cap.2024.08.003

A series of Y2O3, Y2O3: Er3+ (1 %) and Y2O3-AG: Er3+ (1 %) (where AG = BO33−, PO43−, and SO42−) nanophosphors were prepared via a chemical combustion technique. The primary X-ray powder diffraction results showed that the Y2O3:Er3+ phosphor materials crystallized into a cubic standard structure, while the Y2O3-AG: Er3+ phosphor materials transformed to hexagonal and tetragonal structures for the [PO43−] and [BO33−]-based phosphors, respectively. However, no changes were observed for the [SO42−]-based phosphor materials. The scanning electron microscope micrographs revealed that the particles were formed in the nanometre range with different sizes and shapes. The fourier-transformed infrared spectra showed the presence of various structural groups in the pure Y2O3 and Y2O3-AG: Er3+ phosphors. In addition to that, the optical bandgap energy values were obtained using the diffuse reflection spectra (DRS) spectra and Kubelka-Munk function theory. Under UV-379 nm excitation for the Y2O3-AG: Er3+ phosphors, the Y2O3–SO4: Er3+ emitted the most intense green light at 563 nm wavelength. The Commission Internationale de l'Elcairage colour coordinates and correlated color temperature values indicated that the Y2O3:Er3+, Y2O3-PO4:Er3+, and Y2O3–SO4:Er3+ phosphor materials are potential candidates for producing enhanced green color components in white light-emitting diode (w-LED) applications.
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•A series of Y2O3-AG: Er3+ (where AG = anionic group) phosphors prepared via the combustion method.•The impact of AG group substitution in Y2O3:Er3+ phosphors was investigated via structural, morphological, and optical properties.•The cubic Y2O3–SO4:Er3+ samples showed high PL characteristics.•Y2O3-AG: Er3+ (where AG = BO33−, PO43− and SO42−) are potential candidates for commercial and industrial lighting applications.