Role of Li ion on luminescence performance of yttrium oxide thin films

•Li–Y2O3 thin films are deposited by spray pyrolysis.•The FE-SEM shows solid nonporous in nature of Y2O3 particles.•The energy gap of Y2O3 film is calculated to be ∼5.37 eV.•PL emission of Li–Y2O3 thin film due to oxygen vacancies.•Thermoluminescence centers at 460 K and 538 K glow peaks are calculated.

Lithium ion incorporated yttrium oxide thin films have been deposited by spray pyrolysis. The phase and crystalline nature of the thin film has been studied by glancing angle X-ray diffraction. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy reveal the broad and sharp absorption and found with peak 875 cm−1. Solid grains in nature are seen in the image of the thin film procured by the field emission-scanning electron microscopy. The energy gap of the thin film sample has been found through the UV–vis absorption studies and found its value is ∼5.37 eV. The photoluminescence emission spectrum was recorded under the excitation wavelength of 254 nm. Photoluminescence emission spectrum reveals the peaks are at 390, 485, 525 and 598–625 nm. Gamma irradiated thin films exhibits thermoluminescent glows with peaks at 460 and 538 K. The thermoluminescence glow curves are analyzed through glow curve shape method.

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