Synthesis of Eu3+-Doped ZnO/Zn2SiO4 Composite Phosphor for Potent Optoelectronic Applications.

Eu³⁺-doped Zn₂SiO₄/ZnO phosphor-based composites were prepared using a simple thermal treatment method. The effect of Eu³⁺ content on the morphological and photoluminescence performance was examined using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, UV–Vis, and PL measurement. The existence of two crystal phases by the XRD measurement confirmed the development of zincite (ZnO) and zinc silicate (Zn₂SiO₄) crystal phases. Besides, the FTIR spectra and FESEM micrograph support the XRD result by verifying ZnO and Zn₂SiO₄ phase formation through the existence of their characteristic Zn–O–Si and Zn–O vibration modes with the decrement of SiO₄ broad absorption band as the Eu³⁺ concentration increased. Also, UV–Vis absorption spectra presented by the composite samples displayed a broad absorbance that confirmed the addition of Eu³⁺ ions in the ZnO/Zn₂SiO₄ has caused the absorption edge of the curve having red shift. The photoluminescence spectrum showed red shift light emissions at 485 and 615 nm, associating with the Zn₂SiO₄ crystal phase, in addition to the ZnO crystal phase. From the interesting results achieved, this ZnO/Zn₂SiO₄ phosphor-based composite material can be a potent candidate in optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]