Controlling the europium oxidation state in diopside through flux concentration

This paper explores the connection between the H3BO3 flux concentration and the co-existence of Eu2+ and Eu3+ dopants within CaMgSi2O6 crystals (diopside). The samples were synthesised using a solid-state synthesis method under varying atmospheric conditions, including oxidative (air), neutral (N2), and reductive (H2/N2 mixture) environments. Additionally, some materials underwent chemical modification by partially substituting Si4+ with Al3+ ions acting as charge compensation defects stabilizing Eu3+ luminescence. Depending on the specific synthesis conditions, the materials predominantly displayed either the orange-red luminescence of Eu3+ (under oxidising conditions) or the blue luminescence of Eu2+; however, the comprehensive results confirmed the co-existence of Eu3+/Eu2+ luminescence in both cases. This work shows that varying flux concentrations added during synthesis significantly affect the relative strength of Eu2+ and Eu3+ emissions in a manner dependent on the synthesis atmosphere. The emission of Eu2+ increases with a higher flux concentration in materials synthesised under oxidative and neutral atmospheres independent of the chemical modification. In contrast, for materials obtained under a reductive atmosphere, the changes in the Eu3+ emission intensity depended on the presence or absence of Al3+ ions namely the increase of flux increased the Eu3+ intensity in the case of unmodified materials and decreased in the Al-modified ones. All observed effects were qualitatively explained considering the double role of the flux in the studied system, which besides facilitating the diffusion of chemical species during synthesis acts as a charge compensating agent by creating B'Si centres stabilizing Eu3+ emission.

Evolution of the full energy structure of Mn4+ in fluoride phosphors under high pressure conditions

This paper analyzes the photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra of fluoride phosphors doped with Mn⁴⁺: KNaSiF₆:Mn⁴⁺, Rb₂GeF₆:Mn⁴⁺, and Na₃HTiF₈:Mn⁴⁺ under high pressure conditions. From the optical spectra, the pressure-dependent energies of optically active ⁴T₂, ⁴T₁, and ²E crystal field subterms of Mn⁴⁺ have been determined in the 0-30 GPa pressure range. A strong blueshift of the ⁴T₂ and ⁴T₁ subterms was found, as expected from the Tanabe-Sugano diagram for Mn⁴⁺ (d³). At the same time, the ²E emitting state exhibited a redshift under pressure - an effect opposite to the prediction of the Tanabe-Sugano diagram. This is a manifestation of the pressure-driven nephelauxetic effect, governed by pressure induced changes of Racah parameters, which demonstrates the necessity of taking into account the Racah parameters for a correct description of Mn⁴⁺ emission under pressure. The high pressure experimental data allowed to determine the pressure dependence of crystal field strength parameter Dq and Racah parameters B and C. Finally, obtaining the pressure dependence of Dq and Racah parameters allowed to calculate the full energy structure of the d³ configuration of Mn⁴⁺ in KNaSiF₆, Rb₂GeF₆, and Na₃HTiF₈ in the pressure range of 0-30 GPa. The calculations reproduced the redshift of the ²E emitting state under pressure, as well as gave the pressure shift direction and magnitude for all crystal field subterms of Mn⁴⁺ up to 50 000 cm^-1 (i.e. the equivalent of the Tanabe-Sugano diagram for high-pressure experiments). The approach presented in this paper can be easily extended for calculating the energy structure of materials doped with isoelectronic Cr³⁺ as well as other transition metal ions.

Lanthanide ions (Eu3+, Er3+, Pr3+) as luminescence and charge carrier centers in Sr2TiO4

A series of strontium orthotitanate (Sr₂TiO₄) samples doped with 2% of a mole of europium, praseodymium, and erbium were obtained using the solid-state synthesis method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique confirms the phase purity of all samples and the lack of the influence of dopants at a given concentration on the structure of materials. The optical properties indicate, in the case of Sr₂TiO₄:Eu³⁺, two independent emission (PL) and excitation (PLE) spectra attributed to the Eu³⁺ ions at sites with different symmetries: low - excited at 360 nm and high - excited at 325 nm, while, for Sr₂TiO₄:Er³⁺ and Sr₂TiO₄:Pr³⁺, the emission spectra do not depend on the excitation wavelength. The measurements of X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) indicate the presence of only one type of charge compensation mechanism, which is based on the creation of strontium vacancies in all cases. This suggests that the different charge compensation mechanisms cannot easily explain the presence of Eu³⁺ at two non-equivalent crystal sites. The photocurrent excitation (PCE) spectroscopy investigations, that have not been reported in the literature so far, show that among all the studied dopants, only Pr³⁺ can promote the electrons to the conduction band and give rise to electron conductivity. The results collected from the PLE and PCE spectra allowed us to find the location of the ground states of lanthanides(II)/(III) in the studied matrix.

Single Crystalline Films of Ce3+-Doped Y3MgxSiyAl5-x-yO12 Garnets: Crystallization, Optical, and Photocurrent Properties

This research focuses on LPE growth, and the examination of the optical and photovoltaic properties of single crystalline film (SCF) phosphors based on Ce³⁺-doped Y₃Mg_xSi_yAl_5-x-yO₁₂ garnets with Mg and Si contents in x = 0-0.345 and y = 0-0.31 ranges. The absorbance, luminescence, scintillation, and photocurrent properties of Y₃Mg_xSi_yAl_5-x-yO₁₂:Ce SCFs were examined in comparison with Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce (YAG:Ce) counterpart. Especially prepared YAG:Ce SCFs with a low (x, y < 0.1) concentration of Mg²⁺ and Mg²⁺-Si⁴⁺ codopants also showed a photocurrent that increased with rising Mg²⁺ and Si⁴⁺ concentrations. Mg²⁺ excess was systematically present in as-grown Y₃Mg_xSi_yAl_5-x-yO₁₂:Ce SCFs. The as-grown SCFs of these garnets under the excitation of α-particles had a low light yield (LY) and a fast scintillation response with a decay time in the ns range due to producing the Ce⁴⁺ ions as compensators for the Mg²⁺ excess. The Ce⁴⁺ dopant recharged to the Ce³⁺ state after SCF annealing at T > 1000 °C in a reducing atmosphere (95%N₂ + 5%H₂). Annealed SCF samples exhibited an LY of around 42% and similar scintillation decay kinetics to those of the YAG:Ce SCF counterpart. The photoluminescence studies of Y₃Mg_xSi_yAl_5-x-yO₁₂:Ce SCFs provide evidence for Ce³⁺ multicenter formation and the presence of an energy transfer between various Ce³⁺ multicenters. The Ce³⁺ multicenters possessed variable crystal field strengths in the nonequivalent dodecahedral sites of the garnet host due to the substitution of the octahedral positions by Mg²⁺ and the tetrahedral positions by Si⁴⁺. In comparison with YAG:Ce SCF, the Ce³⁺ luminescence spectra of Y₃Mg_xSi_yAl_5-x-yO₁₂:Ce SCFs greatly expanded in the red region. Using these beneficial trends of changes in the optical and photocurrent properties of Y₃Mg_xSi_yAl_5-x-yO₁₂:Ce garnets as a result of Mg²⁺ and Si⁴⁺ alloying, a new generation of SCF converters for white LEDs, photovoltaics, and scintillators could be developed.

Enhancement of self-trapped excitons and near-infrared emission in Bi3+/Er3+ co-doped Cs2Ag0.4Na0.6InCl6 double perovskite

Erbium (Er) complexes are used as optical gain materials for signal generation in the telecom C-band at 1540 nm, but they need a sensitizer to enhance absorption. Na⁺ substitution for Ag⁺ and Bi³⁺ doping at the In³⁺ site is a possible strategy to enhance the broadband emission of Cs₂AgInCl₆, which could be used as a sensitizer for energy transfer to rare-earth elements. Herein, self-trapped exciton (STE) energy transfer to Er³⁺ at 1540 nm in double perovskite is reported. An acid precipitation method was used to synthesize Cs₂AgInCl₆ and its derivatives with Er³⁺, Bi³⁺, and Na⁺. Bare Cs₂AgInCl₆:Er emission signals were found to be weak at 1540 nm, but Bi³⁺ doping increased them by 12 times, and Bi³⁺ and Na⁺ doping increased signal intensity by up to 25 times. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy characterized a decrease in axial symmetry over the Er³⁺ ions after the substitutions of Na⁺ and Bi³⁺ in Cs₂AgInCl₆ at low temperatures (<7 K) for the first time. Moreover, an increase in pressure compressed the structure, which tuned the STE transition for free exciton emission, and a further increase in pressure distorted the cubic phase above 70 kbar.

Photoluminescence enhancement study in a Bi-doped Cs2AgInCl6 double perovskite by pressure and temperature-dependent self-trapped exciton emission

Here, we report a halide precursor acid precipitation method to synthesize Cs₂AgIn_1-xBi_xCl₆ (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, 0.32, 0.64, and 1) microcrystals. Cs₂AgInCl₆ and Bi derivative double perovskites show broadband white light emission via self-trapped excitons (STEs) and have achieved the highest internal quantum efficiency of up to 52.4% at x = 0.08. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction confirmed the linear increase of lattice parameters and cell volume with Bi³⁺ substitution at In³⁺ sites. Absorbance, photocurrent excitation, and photoluminescence excitation spectra are used to observe possible transitions from the valence to the conduction band or free exciton (FE) states as well as transitions within local Bi³⁺ states. The broadband photoluminescence is quenched via a single nonradiative process with an activation energy ΔE = 1490 cm^-1 for Cs₂AgIn_0.92Bi_0.08Cl₆. Under normal conditions, we observed STE emission, but applying external pressure alters the electronic structure such that at elevated pressure, the only emission via the FE state is observed. We anticipate that structure, temperature and pressure-dependent photoluminescence studies will help the future use of a single-source lead-free double perovskite for white light-emitting diode applications.

Broadband NaK2Li[Li3SiO4]4:Ce Alkali Lithosilicate Blue Phosphors

Phosphors with a rigid and symmetrical structure are urgently needed. The alkali lithosilicate family (A[Li₃SiO₄]) has been extensively studied with a narrow emission band due to its unique cuboid-coordinated environment and rigid structure. However, here we demonstrate for the first time Ce-doped NaK₂Li[Li₃SiO₄]₄ phosphors with a broad emission band, a high internal quantum efficiency (85.6%), and excellent thermal stability. Photoluminescence indicates the Ce's preference to occupy the Na⁺ site, leading to a strong blue color emission with peak maxima at 417 and 450 nm. Temperature- and pressure-dependent photoluminescence reveals thermal stability and a phase transition. Moreover, the X-ray absorption near-edge structure reveals the mixing of Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ in the materials; this result differs from that of Eu²⁺-doped A[Li₃SiO₄] phosphors. The charge compensation process is then proposed to explain this difference. This study not only provides insights into Ce-doped UCr₄C₄-type phosphors but also explains the charge compensation mechanism of the aliovalent doping process.

Study of persistent luminescence and thermoluminescence in SrSi2N2O2:Eu2+,M3+ (M = Ce, Dy, and Nd)

The process of persistent luminescence or glow-in-the-dark, the delayed emission of light of irradiated substances, has long fascinated researchers, who have made efforts to explain the underlying physical phenomenon as well as put it to practical use. However, persistent luminescence is an elusive and difficult process, both in terms of controlling or altering its properties, as well as providing a quantitative description. In this paper, we used SrSi₂N₂O₂:Eu²⁺ as a model persistent phosphor, characterized by the broad distribution of structural defects and exhibiting long-lasting Eu²⁺ luminescence that is visible for a few minutes after switching off UV light. We investigated the persistent luminescence process by two complementary methods, namely, thermoluminescence and temperature-dependent persistent luminescence decay measurements. Analysis of experimental data allowed us to determine the depth distribution of traps, and allowed us to distinguish two different mechanisms by which the emission is delayed. The first, the temperature-dependent mechanism, is related to trap activation, while the second, temperature-independent mechanism is related to carrier migration. Finally, we employed the strategy of the co-doping of the phosphor SrSi₂N₂O₂:Eu²⁺,M³⁺ (M = Ce, Nd, Dy) to modify the persistent luminescence properties.