White light emission and energy transfer (Dy3+ → Eu3+) in combustion synthesized YSO: Dy3+, Eu3+ nanophosphors

Tunable white light emissive (YSO) Y2SiO5: 5Dy3+, xEu3+ (x = 0.5 – 4.5 mol%) phosphors were synthesized by the solution combustion method. The 1000 °C phosphors were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The average crystallite size estimated by Debye – Scherer's and Williamson – Hall plots were found to be in the range of 10 – 50 nm. Samples calcined at 1000 °C, show pure monoclinic X1 phase. Co-doping with Eu3+ compensated the red emission component of the YSO:Dy3+ phosphor. Furthermore, the energy transfer from Dy3+ to Eu3+ was confirmed based on the luminescence spectra. The intense white light emissions are suggestive exploration for the potential phosphor for optical materials applications used in the ultraviolet excited white light emitting diodes.