Photoluminescence and structural properties of Eu3+ doped SrZnV2O7 nanocrystals

Novel SrZn1−xEuxV2O7 nanoparticles were synthesized employing urea assisted solution combustion process. The Rietveld refinement technique was used to study the effect of Eu3+ doping on the crystal structure of the host lattice. It was found to crystallize in monoclinic lattice with the P121/c1 (14) space group. The photoluminescent spectral analysis showed that upon excitation in the near UV region, these nanophosphors can emit very intense red luminescence (616 nm) corresponding to the hypersensitive 5D0→7F2 transition of Eu3+ ions. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the low symmetrical co-ordinative environment of the activator ion (trigonal bipyramidal) with no inversion center in the SrZnV2O7 host lattice. The optimum concentration of Eu3+ ion in SrZnV2O7 for better luminescence was found to be 4 mol% The critical distance for energy transfer (24.1602 Å) imparted the initial idea of intensity variation as a function of dopant concentration. Dipole-dipole (d-d) interactions were successfully accounted for the concentration quenching arising from the over-doping of the activator ions. These near UV light absorbers (395 nm) can be thrivingly used in white LEDs using lnGaN chip system, plasma display panels (PDPs) and solid state laser.