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Sonochemically synthesized rare earth double-doped zirconia nanoparticles: probable candidate for white light emission

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Abstract

This study explores the viability of rare earth-doped zirconia nanophosphors as probable candidates for white light emission. Undoped ZrO2 and single- and double-doped ZrO2:M (where M = Tb3+ and Eu3+) nanophosphors have been synthesized using a simple sonochemical process. The products were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and photoluminescence spectrophotometry. The SEM micrographs show that resultant nanoparticles have dendritic shape. TEM and HRTEM studies showed that the size of the majority of the nanoparticles were around 28 ± 5 nm. Characteristic blue and green emission from Tb3+ ions and red from Eu3+ dopant ions were observed. The CIE coordinates of the double-doped ZrO2:Tb3+ (1.2 %):Eu3+ (0.8 %) nanophosphor lie in the white light region of the chromaticity diagram and show promise as good phosphor materials for new lighting devices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

    Srirupa Mukherjee, Dimple P. Dutta, N. Manoj & A. K. Tyagi

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  1. Srirupa Mukherjee
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  2. Dimple P. Dutta
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  3. N. Manoj
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  4. A. K. Tyagi
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Correspondence to Dimple P. Dutta.

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Mukherjee, S., Dutta, D.P., Manoj, N. et al. Sonochemically synthesized rare earth double-doped zirconia nanoparticles: probable candidate for white light emission. J Nanopart Res 14, 814 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-0814-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-0814-8

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