Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Sm3+ doped La2O3 nanoparticles

Samarium-doped La2O3 nanocrystalline powder annealed at different temperatures has been synthesized by a very cost-effective chemical precipitation method. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX) attached to scanning electron microscope and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) were used to analyse the prepared nanocrystals. Samples were heated at 600 degrees C, 700 degrees C and 800 degrees C to increase crystallinity and observe the particle size effect on the luminescence property. The PL intensity of Sm3+ increases with heating from 600 to 800 degrees C. This is attributed to the increase of Sm3+ occupancy in the La3+ lattice sites and also the extent of the reduction in the non-radiative transition with the improvement of crystallinity. Emission intensity is found to be maximum at 1 at.% Sm3+ doped sample for all heating temperatures. The present material might be a promising phosphor for white light LED application.