Zhou Dacheng

Green long-after-glow luminescence of Tb3+ in Sr2SiO4

The green long-after-glow luminescence from Tb3+-doped Sr2SiO4 phosphors, which are synthesized by the high temperature solid state reaction in a reductive atmosphere, is observed in this paper. The results show that under ultraviolet excitation, the obtained phosphors produce an intense green-lighting-emission from the Tb3+, and the green-lighting long-after-glow luminescence related to Tb3+ can last half an hour after the irradiation source has been removed. Moreover, the effects of co-doping Li+, Dy3+, Er3+, Gd3+, and Yb3+ with Tb3+ on the decay properties and thermoluminescence properties are investigated to confirm the long-after-glow mechanism.

Analysis of the electronic structures of 3d transition metals doped CuGaS2 based on DFT calculations

3d transition metals doped CuGaS2 are considered as possible absorbing material candidates for intermediated band thin film solar cells. The electronic structure and optical properties of 3d transition metals doped CuGaS2 are investigated by using density functional theory calculations with the GGA + U method in the present work. The doping with 3d transition metals does not obviously change the crystal structure, band gap, and optical absorption edge of the CuGaS2 host. However, in the case of CuGa1−xTMxS2 (TM = Ti, V, Cr, Fe, and Ni), there is at least one distinct isolated impurity energy level in the band gap, and the optical absorption is enhanced in the ultraviolet-light region. Therefore, these materials are ideal absorber material candidates for intermediated band thin film solar cells. The calculated results are very well consistent with experimental observations, and could better explain them.

Preparation and characterization of nanosized GdxBi0.95?xVO4:0.05Eu3+ solid solution as red phosphor

A complete solid solutions with monophasic zircon-type structure of vanadates of formula GdxBi0.95−xVO4:0.05Eu3+ (x = 0–0.95) are synthesized by combined method of co-precipitation and hydrothermal synthesis. Their microstructures and morphologies are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electronic microscope, and the results show that each of all the samples has a monophasic zircon-type structure. The absorption spectrum of the prepared phosphor shows a blue-shift of the fundamental absorption band edge with increasing the gadolinium content. Under UV-light and visible-light excitation, all the prepared phosphors show the typical luminescence properties of Eu3+ in the zircon-type structure. The emission intensity of GdxBi0.95−xVO4:0.05Eu3+ (x = 0.55) is strongest in all samples under UV-light and visible-light excitations. Finally, the mechanisms of luminescence of Eu3+ in the GdxBi0.95−xVO4:0.05Eu3+ (x = 0–0.95) solid solutions are analyzed and discussed.

A novel strong green phosphor: K3Gd(PO4)2:Ce3+, Tb3+ for a UV-excited white light-emitting-diode

A series of K3Gd1−x−y(PO4)2:xCe3+, yTb3+ phosphors are synthesized by the solid-sate reaction method. X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectra are utilized to characterize the structures and luminescence properties of the as-synthesized phosphors. Co-doping of Ce3+ enhances the emission intensity of Tb3+ greatly through an efficient energy transfer process from Ce3+ to Tb3+. The energy transfer is confirmed by photoluminescence spectra and decay time curves analysis. The efficiency and mechanism of energy transfer are investigated carefully. Moreover, due to the non-concentration quenching property of K3Tb(PO4)2, the photoluminescence spectra of K3Tb1−x(PO4)2:xCe3+ are studied and the results show that when x = 0.11 the strongest Tb3+ green emission can be realized.

Characterization and luminescence of Eu/Sm-coactivated CaYAl3O7 phosphor synthesized by using a combustion method

A novel red-emitting phosphor, CaYAl3O7: Eu3+, Sm3+, is synthesized by a combustion method at a low temperature (850°), and the single phase of CaYAl3O7 is confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements. The photoluminescence property results reveal that the red emission intensity of Eu3+ is strongly dependent on the Sm3+ concentration. Only the Eu3+ luminescence is detected in the Eu3+-Sm3+ co-doped CaYAl3O7 phosphor with 393 nm excitation. However, under the characteristic excitation (402 nm) of Sm3+, not only the Sm3+ emission but also the Eu3+ emission are observed. A possible mechanism of the energy transfer between Sm3+ and Eu3+ is investigated in detail.

Spectroscopic properties and mechanism of Tm3+/Er3+/Yb3+co-doped oxyfluorogermanate glass ceramics containing BaF2 nanocrystals

Transparent Tm3+/Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped oxyfluorogermanate glass ceramics containing BaF2 nanocrystals are prepared. Under excitation of a 980-nm laser diode (LD), compared with the glass before heat treatment, the Tm3+/Er3+/Yb3+co-doped oxyfluorogermanate glass ceramics can emit intense blue, green and red up-conversion luminescence and Stark-split peaks; X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) results show that BaF2 nanocrystals with an average diameter of 20 nm are precipitated from the glass matrix. Stark splitting of the up-conversion luminescence peaks in the glass ceramics indicates that Tm3+, Er3+ and (or) Yb3+ ions are incorporated into the BaF2 nanocrystals. The up-conversion luminescence intensities of Tm3+, Er3+ and the splitting degree of luminescence peaks in the glass ceramics increase significantly with the increase of heat treat temperature and heat treat time extension. In addition, the possible energy transfer process between rare earth ions and the up-conversion luminescence mechanism are also proposed.

Up-conversion luminescence properties and energy transfer of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped oxyfluoride glass ceramic containing CaF2 nano-crystals

The Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped transparent oxyfluoride glass-ceramics containing CaF2 nano-crystals were successfully prepared. After heat treatments, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that CaF2 nano-crystals of 20–30 nm in diameter precipitated uniformly in the glass matrix. Comparing with the host glass, high efficiency upconversion luminescence of Er3+ at 540 nm and 658 nm was observed in the glass ceramics under the excitation of 980 nm. Moreover, the size of the precipitated nano-crystals can be controlled by heat-treatment temperature and time. With the increase of the nano-crystal size, the intensity of the red emission increased more rapidly than that of the green emission. The energy transfer process of Er3+ and Yb3+ was convinced and the possible mechanism of Er3+ up-conversion was discussed.

Electronic structures of halogen-doped Cu2O based on DFT calculations

In order to construct p—n homojunction of Cu2O-based thin film solar cells that may increase its conversion efficiency, to synthesize n-type Cu2O with high conductivity is extremely crucial, and considered as a challenge in the near future. The doping effects of halogen on electronic structure of Cu2O have been investigated by density function theory calculations in the present work. Halogen dopants form donor levels below the bottom of conduction band through gaining or losing electrons, suggesting that halogen doping could make Cu2O have n-type conductivity. The lattice distortion, the impurity formation energy, the position, and the band width of donor level of Cu2O1−xHx (H = F, Cl, Br, I) increase with the halogen atomic number. Based on the calculated results, chlorine doping is an effective n-type dopant for Cu2O, owing to the lower impurity formation energy and suitable donor level.