Structural and photoluminescence characteristics of M₃Al₅O₁₂:Eu³⁺ (M = Y, Gd and La) nanophosphors for optoelectronic applications

M₃Al₅O₁₂:Eu³⁺ (M = Y, Gd and La) nanosized phosphor materials were designed using combustion procedure and then characterized with several techniques. The optimum concentration of dopant ion was found to be 0.03 mol for Y₃Al₅O₁₂ lattice. The materials were synthesized at 600 °C and were further calcined at 900 and 1050 °C for 2 h each to evaluate the temperature effect on photoluminescence and structural characteristics. The luminescence properties of materials were studied by their photoluminescence emission spectra. Upon excitation at 254 nm, Gd₃Al₅O₁₂ emitted intense red color due to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition located at 616 nm. However, ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ transition located at 591 nm was dominant in case of Y₃Al₅O₁₂ and La₃Al₅O₁₂ responsible for their orange-red emission. Structural properties of as such synthesized phosphors were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Powder pattern of europium(III) doped Y₃Al₅O₁₂ phosphor showed single phased cubic garnet structure. Gd₃Al₅O₁₂:Eu³⁺ phosphor confirmed mixed garnet phase formation. The morphology of the materials and the particle size estimation was studied by transmission electron micrographs (TEM). Structure and chemical bonding were explained with Fourier transform infrared study (FTIR). The high luminescence and excellent stability made these phosphors suitable hosts for various lighting and display purposes.