Synthesis by using the combustion method and photoluminescence of SrZnO2:Tb3+ nanophosphors

SrZnO2:Tb3+ nanocrystals were synthesized by using a combustion route with metal nitrates as precursors and urea as a fuel in a furnace preheated to 500 degrees C. The nanocrystals obtained through combustion synthesis were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The nanocrystals had sizes from 27 nm to 43 nm. The nanocrystals prepared under an UV source revealed green luminescence that was attributed to transitions from the D-5(4) excited state to the (7)Fi (J = 3 - 6) ground state of Tb3+ ions. The predominant green color from the magnetic dipole transition D-5(4), F-7(5) of Tb3+ was located at 545 nm. In addition, the dependence of the luminescence intensity on the Tb3+ concentrations and effect of heat treatment on the size of the nanocrystals are discussed. The intensity of the D-5(4) emission increases with increasing sintering temperature while that of the D-5(3) emission decreases.