Effect of lithium incorporation on luminescence properties of nanostructured Y2O3:Sm3+ thin films

•Li-Y2O3:Sm3+ thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis.•[222] planes are preferential orientation during crystal growth.•The FESEM shows particles are appear as fine solid grains in nature.•Photoluminescence exhibit emission peaks at 580, 595, 608, 622, 645 and 662 nm.•Thermoluminescence centres are at 400 K, 460 K and 580 K.

Lithium ions incorporated samarium doped yttrium oxide nanostructured thin films are prepared by spray pyrolysis. Glancing angle X-ray diffraction spectrum reveals the phase and crystallinity of the film. The crystallites sizes are found to be ∼50 nm. Surface morphology of the film is studied using field emission scanning electron microscope. The image appears as carved sculptures of particles with agglomeration. Fourier transformed infrared spectrum shows a sharp and wide absorption peak at 875 cm−1. Optical absorption spectrum exhibits a prominent absorption peak at 270 nm and the corresponding energy gap is found to be ∼5.53 eV. A broad photoluminescence emission is observed in the range 560-690 nm with a peaks at 595, 608 and 622 nm and shoulders at 580, 645 and 662 nm. The films are irradiated with γ-rays in a dose range 187-563 Gy. Thermoluminescence glow curve is deconvoluted into three peaks with temperature maxima at 400, 460 and 580 K. The activation energy and frequency factor of these TL glows are found to be in the order of ∼0.58 eV and ∼106 s−1 respectively.

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