CaTiO3:Eu3+ red nanophosphor: Low temperature synthesis and photoluminescence properties

•Pure red emitting phosphor CaTiO3:Eu3+ has been prepared by simple low temperature solution combustion method.•Dominant emission peaks of all the phosphors were located at 615 nm.•CIE chromaticity values show the phosphor is quite useful in white LEDs.

Nanoparticles of Eu3+ doped (1–9 mol%) CaTiO3 were prepared using low temperature (500 °C) solution combustion technique using metal nitrates as precursors and urea as fuel. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the as-formed products show single orthorhombic phase. The crystallite size was estimated using Scherrer’s method and found to be in the range 40–45 nm. The effect of Eu3+ ions on luminescence characteristics of CaTiO3 was studied and the results were discussed in detail. The phosphors exhibit bright red emission upon 398 nm excitation. The characteristic emission peaks recorded at ∼540, 593, 615, 653, 696 and 706 nm (5D0 → 7Fj=0,1,2,3,4,5) were attributed to Eu3+ ions. The electronic transition corresponding to 5D0 → 7F2 (615 nm) was stronger than the magnetic dipole transition 5D0 → 7F1 of Eu3+ ions (596 nm). The CIE chromaticity co-ordinates were calculated from emission spectra, the values (x,y) very close to NTSC standard value of red emission. Therefore, the present phosphors were highly useful for display applications.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide