Photoluminescence Investigation of Nano-Monazite-Type Lapo4: Tb and Laypo4: Tb Phosphor

Recent investigations in technology reveal that nanometer sized compounds have attracted considerable attention due to their novel size- dependent characteristics, different physio-chemical and optoelectronics properties compared with the bulk counterparts,[1-4] Inorganic compounds doped with rare earth ions form an important class of phosphors as they possess a few interesting characteristics such as excellent chemical stability, high luminescence efficiency, and flexible emission colors. The present paper reports the synthesis, characterization and Photoluminescence (PL) of the LaPO₄: Tb and LaYPO₄: Tb (0.5%) phosphor doped with Tb (0.5%) rare-earth ions. The phosphors were synthesized using the standard solid state reaction technique and ground using mortar and pestle, fired at 1200℃ for three hours in a muffle furnace. The effect of dopants on the Photoluminescence of LaPO₄ phosphor was observed at 470 nm under the excitation of 254nm wavelength, PL of the phosphors are recorded using SHIMADZU Spectrofluorophotometer at room temperature. PL emission of doped LaPO₄: Tb (0.5%) phosphor shows peaks at 365, 380,416,437,451,469, 483,545nm whereas. PL emission of doped LaYPO₄: Tb (0.5%) phosphor shows peaks 366, 396,451, 469, 589 and 595 nm. The phosphors are also characterized using XRD, SEM, Relative pressure, pore size and Particle Size studies.