Preparation and characterization of Eu3+ doped powder spinel phosphors (MgAl1.8Y0.2-xO4)

The photoluminescence (PL) studies of powder phosphors are under rigorous study in view of the applications they have in the field of technology. Different methods are available for the preparation of rare earth ions doped in different host environment of powder phosphors. In the present work, a novel route known as sol–gel technique is employed to prepare spinel phosphor MgAl1.8Y0.2-xO4:Eux (<F>x=2–6</F> mol%). Then the studies have been carried out to optimize the dopant concentration in the host lattice with the help of photoluminescence spectra. These phosphors have displayed bright red color under UV source. The emission intensities were determined and the relative fluorescence intensities have been estimated. The richness of the red color has been verified by determining their chromaticity coordinates (<F>&Xmacr;, &Ymacr;</F>) from the CIE standard charts. With the help of XRD, electron spin resonance (ESR), and photo-acoustic (PA) spectra of the samples prepared are also used for the confirmity of the host and analyzing of the data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]