Tailoring the luminescence properties of Y2O3:Sm3+ nanophosphors by 6Â MeV electron beam irradiation

Sm3+ (3 mol%) ions doped Y2O3 nanophosphors were synthesized by green synthesis route using Aloe Vera gel as fuel. The final product was irradiated by 6 MeV electron beam (E-beam) to different fluences in the range (2-10 × 1013 e− cm−2) and well characterized. Powder X-ray Diffractogram (PXRD) results revealed the loss of crystalline nature due to lattice disorder created during irradiation. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic results showed absorption peaks around 688-843 cm−1 (Y-O bond), 1076 and 1398 cm−1 (C-O bond), 1505-1765 cm−1 and 3498 cm−1 (O-H bond). Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) images showed flake like morphological features. The Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectrum recorded at 407 nm excitation showed magnetic and electric dipole transitions at ∼569-575 (4G5/2 → 6H5/2), ∼607-623 (4G5/2 → 6H7/2) and ∼655-668 nm (4G5/2 → 6H9/2) respectively. Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve consists of three peaks in E-beam irradiated nanophosphors at 158, 243 and 352 °C due to creation of more number of trapping and luminescent centers. The E-beam irradiated Y2O3:Sm3+ nanophosphors showed strong PL emission with color co-ordinate values lying in the orange-red region. Therefore, this material can be potentially used as a red component in WLEDs (White LEDs).