Novel Tb³âº-Doped LaAl2B4O10 phosphors: Structural analysis, luminescent properties, and energy transfer mechanism.

This study explores the structural and luminescent properties of terbium (Tb³âº)-doped lanthanum aluminium borate (LaAl2B4O10, abbreviated as LAB) phosphors, a novel host lattice for Tb³âº doping. LAB:Tb³âº phosphors, with varying dopant concentrations, were synthesized using a microwave-assisted combustion synthesis approach and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, and photoluminescence spectroscopy at both room and low temperatures. The structural analysis confirmed the hexagonal crystal structure of LAB and revealed successful incorporation of Tb³âº ions without altering the fundamental lattice. Luminescence studies demonstrated that the LAB:Tb³âº phosphors show strong green emission primarily attributed to the 5D4→7F5 transition of Tb³âº. The optimal doping concentration was determined to be 5 wt% Tb³âº, which provided maximum luminescence efficiency. This concentration also allowed for a critical study of energy transfer mechanisms within the phosphor, revealing dipole-dipole interactions with a critical distance of 9.80 Å between Tb³âº ions. Additionally, the CIE chromaticity coordinates of LAB:0.05 Tb³âº were precisely determined to be (0.289, 0.4460), indicating the potential for high-quality green emission suitable for solid-state lighting and display technologies. This work not only demonstrates the potential of LAB:Tb3+ as a highly efficient green luminescent material, but also sheds light on the mechanisms responsible for energy transfer and concentration quenching.

Enhanced luminescence of Eu3+ in LaAl2B4O10 via energy transfer from Dy3+ doping.

In this study, an investigation was conducted on the structural and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of LaAl2B4O10 (LAB) phosphors initially incorporated with Dy3+ and Eu3+ ions. Subsequently, the impact of varying Eu3+ concentration while maintaining a constant Dy3+ concentration was examined. Structural characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). XRD analysis confirmed the effective embedding of both dopants into the hexagonal framework of the LAB. The PL emission spectra revealed characteristic emissions of Dy3+ (blue and yellow) and Eu3+ (red) ions. The optimized dopant concentrations of both Dy3+ and Eu3+ were observed to be 3 wt%. The dominant mechanism for concentration quenching in doped LAB phosphors was determined to be the electric dipole-dipole interaction. Co-doping with Eu3+ led to a substantial decrease in Dy3+ emission intensity (∼0.18-fold) while enhancing Eu3+ emission intensity (∼3.72-fold). The critical energy transfer distance (RC = 11.64 Å) and the analysis based on the Dexter theory confirmed that the energy transfer mechanism corresponds to dipole-dipole interaction. The color purities and correlated color temperatures (CCT) were estimated, suggesting the potential of these phosphors for warm white and red lighting applications, respectively. The observed energy transfer and luminescence properties, along with the structural and compositional characterization, highlight the promising potential of LAB:Dy3+/Eu3+ co-doped phosphors for advanced lighting and display technologies.

Beta irradiation-induced thermoluminescence: Glow curve analysis and kinetic parameters in combustion-synthesized undoped Ca4YO(BO3)3.

This study examines the thermoluminescent (TL) properties of undoped Ca4YO(BO3)3 phosphor, focusing on how it behaves under a variety of experimental conditions. The IRSL-TL 565 nm was chosen as the appropriate detection filter among various optical detection filter combinations. During the preheating trials conducted at a rate of 2 °C/s, the TL peak exhibited increased intensity, particularly around 200 °C. The experimental outcomes demonstrated a reliable linear relationship (R2 = 0.996 and b = 1.015) in the dose response of undoped preheated Ca4YO(BO3)3 within the range of 1-200 Gy. The investigation encompasses a range of techniques, including the TM-Tstop method, computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) analysis, and theoretical modelling. The application of the TM-Tstop method to samples irradiated with a 5 Gy dose revealed distinct zones on the TM versus Tstop diagram, signifying the presence of at least two discernible components within the TL glow curve, specifically, a single general order kinetics peak and a continuous distribution. The analysis of activation energy versus preheated temperature exhibited a stepwise curve, indicating five trap levels with depths ranging between 1.13 eV and 1.40 eV. The CGCD method also revealed the superposition of at least five distinct TL glow peaks. It was observed that their activation energies were consistent with the Tm-Tstop experiment. Furthermore, the low Figure of Merit (FOM) value of 1.18% indicates high reliability in the goodness-of-fit measure. These findings affirm the reliability and effectiveness of the employed methods in characterizing the TL properties of the Ca4YO(BO3)3 phosphor under investigation. Theoretical models, including the semi-localized transition model, were introduced to explain anomalous observations in TL glow peak intensities and heating rate patterns. While providing a conceptual framework, these models may require adjustments to accurately capture the specific characteristics uncovered through CGCD analysis. As a potential application, the study suggests that the characterized TL properties of Ca4YO(BO3)3 phosphor could be utilized in dosimetric applications, such as radiation dose measurements, owing to its reliable linear response within a broad dose range.

Temperature-dependent photoluminescence of novel Eu3+, Tb3+, and Dy3+ doped LaCa4O(BO3)3: Insights at low and room temperatures.

This study explores the structural and optical qualities of LaCa4O(BO3)3 (LACOB) phosphors doped with Eu3+, Dy3+, and Tb3+ using a microwave-assisted sol-gel technique. It uncovers oxygen-related luminescence defects in LACOB, highlighting emission peaks at 489 and 585 nm for Dy3+, a distinct sharp peak at 611 nm for Eu3+ in the red spectrum, and a notable green emission for Tb3+ due to specific transitions. The photoluminescence (PL) analysis indicates that luminescence is optimized through precise doping, leveraging dipole interactions, and localized resonant energy transfer, which are influenced by dopant concentration and spatial configuration. Temperature studies show emission intensity variations, particularly noticeable below 100 K for Tb3+ doped samples, demonstrating the nuanced balance between thermal quenching and luminescence efficiency. This temperature dependency, alongside the identified optimal doping conditions, underscores the potential of these materials for advanced photonic applications, offering insights into their thermal behavior and emission mechanisms under different conditions.

Thermoluminescence glow curve analysis of Ca3Y2B4O12 phosphor prepared using combustion method.

Ca3Y2B4O12 (CBYO) phosphor was synthesized using a gel combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement confirmed a single-phase structure (space group Pnma (62)) of synthesized compound. TL measurements were conducted between room temperature (RT) and 450 °C at a heating rate of 2 °Cs-1. Significant glow peaks were observed at 64, 116, and 242 °C in CYBO phosphor sample exposed to different beta doses. In the range of 0.1-100 Gy, the TL intensity of the glow peak displayed good linearity. Different methods were employed to determine the number of peaks, the trap structure, and the kinetic parameters of the thermoluminescence glow curve of CBYO; the Hoogenstraaten method, various heating rates (VHR), and glow curve deconvolution method (CGCD) implemented through tgcd:An R package. Currently available findings confirm that CYBO host is a promising candidate for environmental studies because one exhibits adequate TL dose response coupled with a good sensitivity and linearity.

Novel Dy incorporated Ca3Y2B4O12 phosphor: Insights into the structure, broadband emission, photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence characteristics.

This study reports cathodoluminescence (CL) and photoluminescence (PL) properties of undoped borate Ca3Y2B4O12 and Ca3Y2B4O12:x Dy3+ (x = 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7) synthesized by gel combustion method. Micro-X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), CL and PL under electron beam and 359 nm pulse laser excitation, respectively were used to investigate characterization and luminescence studies of synthesized samples in the visible wavelength. As-prepared samples match the standard Ca3Y2BO4 phase that belongs to the orthorhombic system with space group Pnma (62) based on XRD results. Under electron beam excitation, this borate host shows a broad band emission from about 250 to 450 nm, peaked at 370 nm which is attributed to NBHOC. All as-prepared phosphors exhibited the characteristic PL and CL emissions of Dy3+ ions corresponding to 4F9/2→6HJ transitions when excited with laser at 359 nm. The CL emission spectra of phosphors were identical to those of the PL spectra. Concentration quenching occurred when the doping concentration was 1 mol% in both the CL and PL spectra. The underlying reason for the concentration quenching phenomena observed in the discrete orange-yellow emission peaked at 574 nm of Dy3+ ion-doped Ca3Y2B4O12 phosphor is also discussed. According to these data, we can infer that this new borate can be used as a yellow emitting phosphor in solid-state illumination.

Synthesis and beta particle excited thermoluminescence of BaSiF6 phosphor.

BaSiF6 phosphor was synthesized by a gel combustion method. The crystalline size was found to be 54.17 ± 4.36 nm using Williamson-Hall (W-H) approximation. The TL data collected by means of a combination of a commercial BG39 and HC575/25 filters was studied to evaluate basic kinetic parameters. Three TL glow peaks of BaSiF6 phosphors are centered at around 84, 190 and 322 °C. Tm-Tstop, various heating rate (VHR) and computerized glow-curve deconvolution (CGCD) method were utilized to analyse collected data. Our findings indicate that luminescence process in scrutinized material may obey second order kinetics. The TL dose response of the TL glow peaks exhibits a linear characteristic up to 100 Gy. Deconvolution of the glow curve reveals that the number of the component TL glow peaks in the complex glow curve is composed of well-isolated six overlapping glow peaks. The FOM value is 2.32.

Adsorption of thorium (IV) ions by metal ion doped ZnO nanomaterial prepared with combustion synthesis: Empirical modelling and process optimization by response surface methodology (RSM).

Environmental problems have reached enormous dimensions, driving efforts to remove and recycle waste from energy and industrial production. In particular, removing the radionuclide contamination that occurs as the nuclear industry grows is difficult and costly, but it is vital. Technologic and economical methods and advanced facilities are needed for the separation and purification of radioactive elements arising from the nuclear industry and uranium and thorium mining. With the adsorption method, which is the most basic separation and recovery method, the use of high-capacity nanomaterials has recently gained great importance in reducing the activity of the waste, reducing its volume by transforming it into solid form, and recovering and removing liquid radioactive wastes that might harm the ecological environment. This study aimed to determine the adsorption properties of metal ion-doped nano ZnO (nano-ZnO:Al) material synthesized by the microwave-assisted gel combustion method for the adsorption of thorium (IV) from aqueous media. First, characterization processes such as XRD, SEM, BET and zeta potential were performed to observe changes in the host ZnO adsorbent structure caused by the doping process. Later, this was optimized via the response surface method (RSM), which is widely used in the characterization of the adsorption properties of thorium (IV) from aqueous solutions. Such characterization is commonly used in industrial research. We tested how pH (3-8), temperature (20-60 °C), Th (IV) concentration (25-125 mg/L) and adsorbent amount (0.01-0.1 g) affect adsorption efficiency. The best possible combinations of these parameters were determined by RSM. It was calculated by RSM that the design fits the second order (quadratic) model using the central composite design (CCD) for the design of experimental conditions. R2 and R2 adjusted values from the parameters showing the model fit were 0.9923 and 0.9856, respectively. According to the model, the experimental adsorption capacity was 192.3 mg/g for the doped-ZnO nanomaterial under the theoretically specified optimum conditions. Also, the suitability of Th (IV) adsorption to isotherms was examined and thermodynamic parameters were calculated.

Synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of a novel Eu and Tb doped Li2MoO4 phosphor.

Li2MoO4:x Eu3+ and Li2MoO4:xTb3+ phosphors, where x = 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 wt%, were synthesized through a gel-combustion method. The XRD data reveals that Eu3+ and Tb3+ doped Li2MoO4 phosphors exhibit a Rhombohedral structure belonging to the space group R3 which matched well with the standard JCPDS files (No.012-0763). We present photoluminescence (PL) spectra from Eu and Tb doped Li2MoO4 under 349 nm Nd:YLF pulses laser excitation over the temperature range of 10-300 K. Undoped Li2MoO4 shows a wide broad band around 600 nm because of the intrinsic PL emission of tetrahedral of MoO42- which was in good agreement with previous findings. Under the excitation of 394 nm, the as-synthesized phosphors exhibited sharp and strong intensity PL emission signals in the red (612 nm, 5D0→7F2 transition) and green (544 nm, 5D4→7F5 transition), respectively. The critical doping concentration of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions in the Li2MoO4 were estimated to be 2 wt%. The concentration quenching phenomena were discussed, and the critical distances for energy transfer have also been evaluated by the concentration quenching.