Temperature-responsive insights: Investigating Eu3+ and Dy3+ activated yttrium calcium oxyborate phosphors for structure and luminescence

An investigation into the luminescent behavior of YCOB (Yttrium Calcium Oxyborate) doped with Eu3+ and Dy3+ ions, synthesized via the combustion method, is presented. The study, employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses, confirms the structural integrity and purity of the synthesized nanophosphors. An XRD pattern exhibiting distinct crystalline peaks indicates that the dopant ions were successfully integrated into the YCOB lattice. The photoluminescence (PL) response of YCOB with Eu3+ and Dy3+ ions is thoroughly examined, uncovering distinct excitation and emission spectra. In the case of Eu3+ doping, excitation spectra reveal a significant charge transfer (CT) band at 254 nm, indicative of electron transfer between oxygen and europium ions. This CT transition enhances our understanding of the excitation behavior, with the dominant and Laporte-forbidden 5D0 → 7F2 transition. Characteristic peaks at 345 nm in the excitation spectra efficiently stimulate YCOB:Dy3+ when Dy3+ is used as a dopant. The primary emission peak at 585 nm corresponds to the hypersensitive electric dipole transition 4F9/2–6H13/2. Concentration quenching phenomena are observed, with a maximum Eu3+ concentration of 7 wt % attributed to the dipole-quadrupole interaction. Dy3+ doping, with a maximum concentration of 2 wt % primarily shows multipolar interactions, especially dipole-dipole interactions. The study extends to CIE chromaticity analysis, emphasizing Eu3+ doping's suitability for white light-emitting diode (WLED) applications and ensuring color stability. Conversely, varying Dy3+ concentrations do not yield consistent chromaticity coordinates. These findings have significant implications for the development of advanced phosphor materials across diverse applications, offering a roadmap for optimizing their optical performance.