Photoluminescence characteristics of Sm³⁺ and Eu³⁺ doped yttrium oxide phosphors

A series of xSm³⁺ doped and yEu³⁺, xSm³⁺ (x = 0.5–2 mol% and y = 1 mol%) doped yttrium oxide phosphors have been prepared via solid-state reaction route. The study of phase purity, morphology, elemental composition and molecular activities of synthesized phosphors were done by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques, respectively. Photoluminescence characteristics emission spectra were recorded with 402 nm excitation wavelength. The most intense peak at 619 nm was due to ⁴G_5/2 to ⁶H_7/2 transition of samarium (1 mol%) ions in Y₂O₃:Sm³⁺ phosphor. Similarly, strong red emission was observed at 635 nm attributing to ⁴G_5/2 to ⁶H_7/2 transition of samarium ions in Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺(1:1.5 mol%) phosphor under excitation wavelength 423 nm. The energy transfer from europium ions to samarium ions are responsible for enhanced red emission. The photometric characteristics such as decay parameters, correlated color temperature and Commission International de coordinates were also computed for the synthesized phosphors.