Sol–gel synthesis, structural and optical properties of rare earth ions (Sm3+ or Dy3+) activated Ca3Ga2Si3O12 powder phosphors

Structural, morphological and optical properties of rare earth ions (RE3+=Sm3+ or Dy3+) activated Ca3Ga2Si3O12 (CaGaSi) phosphors synthesized by the sol–gel method are reported. XRD results confirmed the cubic phase structure of RE3+:CaGaSi phosphors. From the SEM images of RE3+:CaGaSi phosphors, it is observed that the particles are agglomerated. Photoluminescence spectra of Sm3+:CaGaSi phosphors have shown bright orange red emission at 598 nm (4G5/2→6H7/2) with an excitation wavelength of λexci=401 nm. In the case of Dy3+:CaGaSi phosphors bright yellow emission has been observed at 574 nm (4F9/2→ 6H13/2) with λexci=451 nm. From the PL spectral results, the rare earth ion concentration of CaGaSi phosphors is optimized.