Effect of Eu3+ - dopant concentration on structural and luminescence properties of SrY2O4 nanocrystalline phosphor and potential application in dye-sensitized solar cells

SrY2O4 phosphors were doped with different concentrations of Eu3+ (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 at %) in order to investigate the maximal doping concentration of Eu3+ and its implementation in solar cell devices. Samples were synthesized by a combustion method using citric acid and glycine as a fuel. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed pure phase of SrY2O4. FE-SEM micrographs showed agglomerate phenomenon with spherical-like shape particles and diameter of about 50 nm. Upon excitation with 280 nm, emission spectra were recorded in the range from 450-750 nm and in all samples the same energy transitions were observed 5D0 ? 7FJ (J = 1, 2, 3 and 4) with maximal intensity for sample with 8 at % of Eu3+. That sample was further examined for the purpose of application in solar cell devices and showed high value of efficiency at low light intensities.