Structural and spectral studies of MgZnO:Cr3+ nanophosphors prepared by combustion synthesis
Abstract
Nanocrystalline MgZn(1- x)O: xCr3+ powders with 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 3.0 mol% were synthesized using the combustion method. Crystallization of MgZn(1- x)O: xCr3+ was investigated using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique which point towards significant reduction in crystallite size for MgZnO samples with increasing Cr3+ concentration. Transmission electron microscopy revealed nanosized grains of the powder. UV-Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy were employed to establish the electronic and optical properties of nanoparticles. Doping of Cr content from 0.25 to 3 mol% MgZnO facilitated tuning of bandgap in the range 3.37-3.43 eV. In addition to this, PL properties of the samples show that MgZn(1- x)O: xCr3+ possess emission peak at 589 nm. Under excitation at 325 nm, the material exhibits an orange emission with highest relative intensity achieved for 0.25 mol% Cr3+. This material may be explored as a new phosphor to be excited by UVA emitting AlGaN LEDs for optical devices and displays.
- Publication:
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Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing
- Pub Date:
- November 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s00339-019-3069-8
- Bibcode:
- 2019ApPhA.125..793R