ABSTRACT
We report details on the synthesis and properties of barium praseodymium tungstate, Ba2PrWO6, a double perovskite that has not been synthesized before. Room-temperature (RT) powder X-ray diffraction identified the most probable space group (SG) as monoclinic I2/m, but it was only slightly distorted from the cubic structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the initial (postsynthesis) material contained praseodymium in both 3+ and 4+ charge states. The former (Pr3+) disappeared after exposure to UV light at RT. Photoluminescence studies of Pr3+ revealed that Ba2PrWO6 is an insulator with a band gap exceeding 4.93 eV. Pressure-dependent Raman spectroscopy excluded the possibility of a phase transition up to 20 GPa; however, measurements between 8 and 873 K signified that there might be a change toward the lower symmetry SG below 200 K. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra revealed the presence of interstitial oxygen which acts as a deep electron trap.
ABSTRACT
This study introduces an innovative method for synthesizing Cadmium Oxide /Cadmium Sulfide/Zinc Oxide heterostructures (CdO/CdS/ZnO), emphasizing their potential application in solar energy. Utilizing a combination of electrochemical deposition and oxygen annealing, the research provides a thorough analysis of the heterostructures through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The findings reveal a complex surface morphology and a composite structure with significant contributions from hexagonal CdS and cubic CdO phases. The study highlights the uniformity in the distribution of luminescent centers and the crystalline quality of the heterostructures, which is evident from the PL analysis. The redshift observed in the emission peak and the additional peaks in the excitation spectrum indicate intricate optical properties influenced by various factors, including quantum confinement and lattice strain. The research demonstrates these heterostructures' potential in enhancing solar cells' efficiency and applicability in optoelectronic devices. This comprehensive characterization and analysis pave the way for future optimization and application in efficient and sustainable solar energy solutions.
ABSTRACT
A 0.25% iron (Fe3+)-doped LiGaO2 phosphor was synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The phosphor was characterized utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-pressure photoluminescence, and photoluminescence decay measurement techniques using diamond anvil cells (DACs). The powder X-ray analysis shows that the phosphor is a ß polymorph of LiGaO2 with an orthorhombic crystallographic structure at room temperature. The SEM result also confirms the presence of well-dispersed micro-rod-like structures throughout the sample. The photoluminescence studies in the near-infrared (NIR) range were performed at ambient, low-temperature, and high-pressure conditions. The synthesized phosphor exhibits a photoluminescence band around 746 nm related to the 4T1 â 6A1 transition with a 28% quantum efficiency at ambient conditions, which shifts toward longer wavelengths with the increase of pressure. The excitation spectra of Fe3+ are very well fitted with the Tanabe-Sugano crystal-field theory. The phosphor luminescence decays with a millisecond lifetime. The high-pressure application transforms the ß polymorph of LiGaO2 into a trigonal α structure at the pressure of about 3 GPa. Further increase of pressure quenches the Fe3+ luminescence due to the amorphization process of the material. The prepared phosphor exhibits also mechanoluminescence properties in the NIR spectral region.
