TY - JOUR
T1 - Associated Aspects on Structure, Morphology and Photoluminescence of MgAl 2 O 4 :x% Gd 3+ Nanophosphor Prepared via Citrate Sol–Gel Method
AU - Motloung, Setumo Victor
AU - Motaung, Tshwafo Ellias
AU - Hlatshwayo, Thulani Thokozani
AU - Koao, Lehlohonolo Fortune
AU - Malevu, Thembinkosi Donald
AU - Mpelane, Siyasanga
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - MgAl 2 O 4 :x% Gd 3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) nano-powders were prepared via the citrate sol–gel method. The x-ray diffraction confirmed that the prepared samples consist of the cubic crystalline structures. There was no secondary phases due to Gd 3+ doping. The estimated average grain sizes were found to be in the order of 8 nm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy showed the presence of the anticipated elements (Mg, Al, O, and Gd). The scanning electron microscope results revealed that the morphology of the samples is influenced by the Gd 3+ concentration. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the prepared samples are in the nano-scale range. Selected area electron diffraction patterns indicated highly crystalline structure and the intensities of the bright spots varied with Gd 3+ concentration. Photoluminescence studies showed two distinct emission peaks at 385 and 392 nm, which are certainly attributed to the defects levels located at different positions on the host material (MgAl 2 O 4 ). The emission peaks located at 315 and 628 nm were respectively attributed to the 6 P 7/2 → 8 S 7/2 and 6 G 7/2 → 6 P 3/2 transitions in the Gd 3+ ion. The luminescence intensity of the 388 nm decreased with an increase in the Gd 3+ concentration. Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) coordinates showed that the violet emission color from host cannot be tuned by varying Gd 3+ concentration.
AB - MgAl 2 O 4 :x% Gd 3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) nano-powders were prepared via the citrate sol–gel method. The x-ray diffraction confirmed that the prepared samples consist of the cubic crystalline structures. There was no secondary phases due to Gd 3+ doping. The estimated average grain sizes were found to be in the order of 8 nm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy showed the presence of the anticipated elements (Mg, Al, O, and Gd). The scanning electron microscope results revealed that the morphology of the samples is influenced by the Gd 3+ concentration. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the prepared samples are in the nano-scale range. Selected area electron diffraction patterns indicated highly crystalline structure and the intensities of the bright spots varied with Gd 3+ concentration. Photoluminescence studies showed two distinct emission peaks at 385 and 392 nm, which are certainly attributed to the defects levels located at different positions on the host material (MgAl 2 O 4 ). The emission peaks located at 315 and 628 nm were respectively attributed to the 6 P 7/2 → 8 S 7/2 and 6 G 7/2 → 6 P 3/2 transitions in the Gd 3+ ion. The luminescence intensity of the 388 nm decreased with an increase in the Gd 3+ concentration. Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) coordinates showed that the violet emission color from host cannot be tuned by varying Gd 3+ concentration.
KW - CIE
KW - Gd doping
KW - MgAl O
KW - luminescence
KW - nanocrystal
KW - sol–gel
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064447457&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11664-019-07157-y
DO - 10.1007/s11664-019-07157-y
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85064447457
SN - 0361-5235
JO - Journal of Electronic Materials
JF - Journal of Electronic Materials
ER -