Photoluminescence studies of Eu3+ activated SrTiO3 nanophosphor prepared by solution combustion approach

Orange-red emitting europium doped (1-9 mol%) SrTiO3 (ST) nanophosphor was synthesized by solution combustion method using urea as a fuel. The crystallinity and phase formation of the nanophosphor was studied by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The Field- emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images are evident for the porous and agglomeration nature for the product. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicates the formation of the oxide bonds. The photoluminescence (PL) of SrTiO3:Eu3+ phosphor with different mol% of Eu3+ excited by 395 nm light was studied. The photoluminescence spectra exhibit characteristic luminescence from 5D0 → 7F1,2,3 intra-4f shell Eu3+ ion transitions. An intense orange red emission peak at 615 nm was observed due to electric dipole (5D0 → 7F2) transition. The color purity of the phosphor was confirmed by CIE co-ordinates. The study demonstrates a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of novel nanophosphor with enhanced orange-red emission.