Combustion synthesis and photoluminescence of Eu3+ doped LaAlO3 nanophosphors

Eu3+ doped LaAlO3 nanophosphors were successfully synthesized by a combustion process using concentrated solution of lanthanum nitrates and aluminate as oxidiser, and glycine acid as fuel. The powders were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Pure LaAlO3 phase was obtained at 800 °C heated for 4 h, without formation of any intermediate phase, with an average crystal size, as determined by TEM, of 60 nm. Intense photoluminescence emission is reported at 616 nm, allowing the use of this material as red phosphor.

Graphical abstractEu3+ doped LaAlO3 nanophosphors were successfully synthesized by a combustion process, The powders were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence spectroscopy. Pure LaAlO3 phase was obtained at 800 °C heated for 4 h, with an average crystal size, as determined by TEM, of 60 nm. The photoluminescence of LaAlO3 was related to 4f → 4f(5D0 → 7Fi) (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) transitions of Eu3+ ion, the most intense emission of Eu3+ in LaAlO3 was registered for the transition 5D0 → 7F2, up to 5% of Eu3+ the intensity decrease because of concentration quenching.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (108 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► LaAlO3:Eu3+ nanophosphors were successfully synthesized by a combustion process. ► Pure LaAlO3 phase was obtained at 800 °C (4hours), with an average crystal size of 60 nm. ► The most intense emission of LaAlO3:Eu3+ was registered for the transition 5D0 → 7F2. ► Up to 5% of Eu3+ doped LaAlO3, the intensity decreases because of concentration quenching.