Novel multiband luminescence of Y2Zr2O7:Eu3+, R3+ (R = Ce, Bi) orange–red phosphors via a sol–gel combustion approach

A novel class of orange-red phosphors Y2Zr2O7:Eu3+, R3+ (R = Ce, Bi) was successfully fabricated by a facile sol–gel combustion method. XRD, TG–DTA and SEM results show that the heat-treatment of the powders at 800 oC is enough to obtain highly crystallized Y2Zr2O7 samples. Photoluminescence spectra of the Eu3+-doped nanoparticles illuminated the simultaneous occurrence of several intense orange–red band emissions corresponding to the f–f transitions 5D0–7FJ (J = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) of Eu3+ under 395 nm excitation. The photoluminescence spectra of Y2Zr2O7:Eu3+, R3+ (R = Ce, Bi) showed that the luminescence intensity of Y2Zr2O7:Eu3+ was greatly enhanced by Ce3+ and Bi3+ by 260% and 165%, respectively. The possible sensitization mechanisms of Ce3+ and Bi3+ on Eu3+ emission intensity have been investigated and discussed in detail. The high brightness confirmed the potential applications of the phosphors in display devices and light-emitting diodes.

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► Novel Y2Zr2O7:Eu3+, R3+ (R = Ce, Bi) was fabricated by sol–gel combustion method.
► We investigated the effect of Ce3+ and Bi3+ ions on the luminescence properties.
► Photoluminescence spectra of Y2Zr2O7:Eu3+ shows several intense orange–red emissions.
► The luminescence intensity of Y2Zr2O7:Eu3+ was greatly enhanced by Ce3+ and Bi3+.