Effect of BO33− ions on photoluminescence of CaMoO4:Eu3+ phosphor

A series of CaMoO4-BO33-:Eu3+ phosphors with different concentrations of Eu3+ (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mol. %) were prepared using the solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure, particle morphology, and photoluminescence (PL) were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, ultraviolet-vis diffuse reflectance, and PL spectroscopy. The XRD patterns showed that CaMoO4-BO33-:Eu3+ phosphor consisted of a pure phase with a tetragonal structure. The introduction of BO33- ions did not affect the crystal structure of the CaMoO4: Eu3+ phosphors, but it slightly influenced the particle morphology and the peak intensity of the red PL from Eu3+. As confirmed from the FE-SEM data, the shapes and sizes of the particles were modified by the incorporation of BO33- ions. The bandgap was influenced by the incorporation of BiO33- and Eu3+ as confirmed from the diffuse reflectance data. The PL intensity was dependent on the concentration of the Eu3+, and the red emission due to the f -> f transitions of Eu3+ was enhanced considerably by the incorporation of BO33- ions when the samples were excited at the wavelength of 395 nm using a monochromatized xenon lamp. The effect of BO33- ions on the PL intensity is discussed. Published by the AVS.