A single host white light emitting Zn2SiO4:Re3+ (Eu, Dy, Sm) phosphor for LED applications

We report photo and thermoluminescence properties of Zn2SiO4:Re3+ (Eu, Dy, Sm) phosphors prepared by low temperature solution combustion technique. The hexagonal phase was confirmed by PXRD patterns. SEM micrographs revealed that morphological features were highly dependent on type of the dopant ion. Characteristic excitation and emission peaks of Eu3+, Dy3+ and Sm3+ were observed from PL studies. The concentration quenching occurred for 3 mol% Re3+ doped lanthanide ions, whose critical energy transfer distance (Rc) was found to be ∼13 Ǻ. The corresponding concentration quenching was verified to be dipole-dipole interaction. The chromaticity co-ordinates of Zn2SiO4:Eu3+/Dy3+/Sm3+ phosphors were located in white region suggests them to be a potential candidate for the production of white light emitting phosphors. Three TL glow peaks in Eu3+, Dy3+ doped and two glow peaks in Sm3+ doped Zn2SiO4 nanophosphor observed in TL studies indicated that more than one type of traps were created in these phosphors. TL intensity increases linearly in Sm3+ doped Zn2SiO4 up to 4 kGy and thereafter, it decreases. Up to 4 kGy, the phosphor was quite useful in radiation dosimetry.