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The role of traps in the blue–green emission of ZrO2:Ce3+, Tb3+ co-doped phosphors

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Abstract

Blue–green light emitting ZrO2:Ce3+, Tb3+ rods were synthesized using a simple chemical dehydration technique. X-ray diffraction measurement shows mixed structure of monoclinic and tetragonal phases with the monoclinic phase being dominant. At low concentration of cerium ion in the co-doped samples and for Ce3+ singly doped sample, XRD peaks shift to lower angles which indicate doping at Zr4+ ions site. At higher Ce3+ concentrations, no peak shift was observed signifying doping at larger ion sites other than Zr4+ ion sites or that the dopant ions are residing on ZrO2 surface. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy shows host band and bands related to CeO2. Photoluminescence spectra at varying Ce3+ concentrations present the blue-green broad band in the range 390–700 nm composing of peaks due to Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions. Thermoluminescence measurements show new trap states due to co-doping and the influence of traps occupancy on peak intensities. The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) coordinates confirm the blue–green emission which can be effectively excited using 246 nm (UV light) emitting LEDs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the University of the Free State South Africa for the grant to carry out this work.

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  1. Department of Physics, University of the Free State-Qwaqwa Campus, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa

    I. Ahemen & F. B. Dejene

  2. Department of Physics, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria

    I. Ahemen & F. B. Dejene

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Ahemen, I., Dejene, F.B. The role of traps in the blue–green emission of ZrO2:Ce3+, Tb3+ co-doped phosphors. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 29, 2140–2150 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-017-8126-5

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