Influence of Eu3+ doping concentration on the luminescence properties of Y2O2S: Eu3+, Mg2+, Ti4+ nanoarrays via sol–gel template method

Abstract Firstly, Y (2− x −0.04) O 3 : x Eu 3+ , Mg 2+ 0.02 , Ti 4+ 0.02 ( x = 5.0 mol%, 5.5 mol%, 6.0 mol%, 6.5 mol% and 7.0 mol%) nanotube arrays were synthesized by sol–gel template method to serve as the precursors. Then the precursors were calcined in CS 2 condition at 850 °C for 2 h to obtain the red long afterglow phosphor Y 2 O 2 S: Eu 3+ , Mg 2+ , Ti 4+ nanotube arrays with different Eu 3+ doping concentration. The samples of theY 2 O 2 S: Eu 3+ , Mg 2+ , Ti 4+ nanotube arrays were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectroscopy and long-lasting phosphorescence. SEM proves that the Y 2 O 2 S: Eu 3+ , Mg 2+ , Ti 4+ nanotube arrays are highly ordered and have uniform size. XRD testified that the main phase constitution of the phosphor is Y 2 O 2 S. From the spectrum, the main emission peaks at 616 nm and 626 nm are excited by the 339 nm UV excitation, which are ascribed to the Eu 3+ ions transition from 5 D 0 to 7 F 2 . After irradiation by 365 nm UV radiation for 10 min, the decay time of the Y 2 O 2 S: Eu 3+ , Mg 2+ , Ti 4+ nanotube arrays with 6.5 mol% Eu 3+ doping concentration could last for over 280 s (⩾1 mcd/m 2 ).