Optoelectronic Characterization of Trivalent Europium Doped Gd₂O₃ and MGd₂O₄ (M = Ba or Sr) Nanophosphors for Display Device Applications

Trivalent europium doped Gd₂O₃ and MGd₂O₄ (M = Ba, Sr) nanophosphors were synthesized by facile gel combustion process using hexamethylenetetramine as an organic fuel. The incorporation of Eu³⁺ ions in these materials had been studied by their photoluminescence properties. All these synthesized powders [Gd₂O₃ and MGd₂O₄ (M = Ba, Sr)] showed intense red emission due to 4f → 4f transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. The emission spectra of prepared materials showed five peaks at ∼581, 593, 612, 629, 652 and 708 nm. The main intense emission peak exhibited at 612 nm was attributed to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ the electric dipole transition of Eu³⁺ ion. The concentration quenching was also observed when activator concentration was added more than 4 mol% in these samples. The photoluminescence intensity for these materials were found to be increased with increase of sintering temperature and showed a maximum intensity when these sample were reheated at 1100 °C. The structure and morphology of these prepared materials had been examined by X-ray diffraction and tunneling electron microscopy respectively.