Zn2TiO4:Eu(3+) nanophosphor: self explosive route and its near UV excited photoluminescence properties for WLEDs

A simple and low-cost solution combustion method was used to prepare Eu(3+) (1-11mol%) doped Zn2TiO4 nanophosphors at 500°C using zinc nitrates as precursors and oxalyl di-hydrazide (ODH) as fuel. The final product was calcined at 1100°C for 3h and then characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible absorption (UV-Vis). The PXRD patterns of the sample calcined at 1100°C show pure cubic phase. The crystallite size was estimated using Scherrer's method and found to be in the range 20-25nm and the same was confirmed by TEM studies. Effects of Eu(3+) (1-11mol%) cations on the luminescence properties of Zn2TiO4 nanoparticles were studied. The samples exhibit intense red emission upon 395nm near ultra violet (NUV) excitation. The characteristic emission peaks recorded at ∼578, 592, 613 and 654nm may be attributed to the 4f-4f intra shell transitions ((5)D0→(7)Fj=0,1,2,3) of Eu(3+) cations. The CIE chromaticity co-ordinates and CCT were calculated from emission spectra and the values (x, y) were very close to NTSC standard values for red emission and CCT was close to Plankian locus. Therefore, the present phosphor may be highly useful for display applications.