Effect of Y3+ on structural environment and luminescence characteristics of novel SrGd1.94-2xEu0.06Y2xO4 phosphors for display and dosimetric applications

•SrGd1.94-2xEu0.06Y2xO4 microcrystals have been successfully synthesized by auto-combustion process for the first time.•The morphological evolution, luminescence and spectral shifting have been studied with respect to Y3+ contents.•The color chromaticity of SrGd1.82Eu0.06Y0.12O4 sample was found closer to standard NTSC system and higher than the commercial red phosphors.•Higher thermal stability more than commercial red phosphor Y2O3:Eu3+ was observed.•Defect analysis of SrGd1.94-2xEu0.06Y2xO4 under γ-irradiation through thermo-luminescence was done and studied in detail.

The improved luminescent performance and color tuning owing to Y3+ incorporation in SrGd1.94-2xEu0.06Y2xO4 phosphors were reported for the first time. The samples were synthesized by facile auto-combustion method. The phase identification, recognition of structural entities, morphological evolution and luminescence properties were examined by means of X-ray diffraction, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, UV-vis and photoluminescence (PL) studies. The sensitizing effect of Gd3+ was modulated by metal ion (Y3+) incorporation. The substitution of Y3+ ions caused lattice shrinkage which alters the local crystal structure and elevates the asymmetric environment around Eu3+. Upon 276 nm UV excitation, SrGd1.94-2xEu0.06Y2xO4 phosphors showed intense red emission and high thermal stability up to 220 °C than Y3+ free samples. Thermoluminescence (TL) studies of γ-irradiated SrGd1.94-2xEu0.06Y2xO4 samples exhibited broad TL profile and linear dose response in the dose range 10-80 Gy. Present research encourages the bright prospects of SrGd1.94-2xEu0.06Y2xO4 phosphors for display and TL dosimetry applications.

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