Microwave hydrothermal method and photoluminescence properties of Gd2Sn2O7: Eu3+ reddish orange phosphors

Pyrochlore Gd2Sn2O7:Eu3+ (in brief GSO:Eu) nanoparticles have been prepared by the microwave hydrothermal method followed by further calcining treatment. The effects of pH value and Eu3+-doping concentration on the pure phase of the products are investigated. It is found that the pH value is a crucial step for the control of the pure phase of the GSO nanocrystals. All the products were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and decay curve. Under the 391 nm excitation, intense reddish orange emission peak at 587 nm corresponding to 5D0→7F1 transition of Eu3+ is observed for 7 mol% GSO:Eu phosphor as the optimal doping concentration. The luminescence property indicates that the local symmetry of Eu3+ ion in GSO crystal lattice has inversion center of Gd3+ ion with D3d point group. The luminescence properties suggest that a brightly luminescent GSO:Eu phosphor with reddish orange light may be considered as an ideal optical material for the development of new optical display systems.