RE3+ (RE3+ = Tm3+, Tb3+ and Sm3+) ions activated Y6WO12 phosphors: Synthesis, photoluminescence, cathodoluminescence and thermal stability

The Y6WO12 double oxide materials doped individually with rare-earth ions of Tm3+, Tb3+ and Sm3+ were prepared by a sol-gel method using citric acid as a complexing agent. The morphology of the prepared samples was studied using transmission electron microscope images and the crystallinity of the sample was confirmed by selective area electron diffraction patterns. The phase of the synthesized samples was analyzed by X-ray diffraction patterns and the optical properties were studied with photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra. The emissions from the doped samples exhibited their respective colors both spectrally and to the naked eye under ultraviolet light excitation. Both PL and CL emission spectra showed the same results except the variation in the intensity of emission peaks. The activation energies calculated from the temperature-dependent PL spectra showed good thermal stability of the materials. The Commission International de I'Eclairage chromaticity coordinates calculated from the emission spectra were comparable to the standard phosphor used for lighting or imaging devices. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.