MgO:Eu3+ red nanophosphor: Low temperature synthesis and photoluminescence properties

• Nanomaterials offer promising opportunities for applications in various fields.
• Magnesium oxide (MgO) is an excellent wide band gap insulator.
• Structural and PL of MgO:Eu3+ nanophosphor was studied.
• Highest emission was recorded at 3 mol% of Eu3+ doped MgO.

Nanoparticles of Eu3+ doped (0–9 mol%) MgO were prepared using low temperature (400 °C) solution combustion technique with metal nitrate as precursor and glycine as fuel. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns of the as-formed products show single cubic phase and no further calcination was required. The crystallite size was obtained using Scherer’s formula and was found to be 5–6 nm. The effect of Eu3+ ions on luminescence characteristics of MgO was studied and the results were discussed in detail. These phosphors exhibit bright red emission upon 395 nm excitation. The characteristic photoluminescence (PL) emission peaks at ∼580, 596, 616, 653, 696 and 706 nm (5D0 → 7Fj = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) were recorded due to Eu3+ ions. The electronic transition corresponding to 5D0 → 7F2 of Eu3+ ions (616 nm) was stronger than the magnetic dipole transition corresponding to 5D0 → 7F1 of Eu3+ ions (596 nm). The international commission on illumination (CIE) chromaticity co-ordinates were calculated from emission spectra, the values (x, y) were very close to national television system committee (NTSC) standard value of red emission. Therefore the present phosphor was highly useful for display applications.

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