Effect of sensitizer on the luminescence of thermally stable Eu³⁺-activated metasilicate phosphor for solar cell applications

Abstract

Solid-state reaction methodology has been opted to synthesize microcrystalline pure phase Sm³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-doped Na₄Ca₄Si₆O₁₈ (NCMS) phosphors. Diffraction peaks of synthesized samples have shown the well-identical profile with the standard diffraction pattern and no impurity has been found in the sample. The particle size and morphology of the samples have been captured using field emission scanning electron microscope. Photoluminescence studies of Sm³⁺ activated and Sm³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-activated NCMS phosphor have been thoroughly investigated and discussed. The energy transfer mechanism in NCMS: Sm³⁺/Eu³⁺ phosphors have been studied using PL and lifetime data to facilitate the emission in red region under n-UV excitation. Dexter’s and Reisfeld’s approximation reckoned the type of interaction taking place among dopant and co-dopant ions. The chromaticity coordinates of NCMS: Sm³⁺/Eu³⁺ phosphors show the color tunability from orange to red region excited with n-UV/blue light as the concentration of activator ion increases. Moreover, improved luminescence and superior thermal stability of Sm³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-activated NCMS phosphor demonstrates the viability of the phosphor to be utilized in solar cell applications.