Optimization and photoluminescence behaviour of cobalt ferrite: Eu3+ doped zirconia phosphor

Abstract

Luminescent magnetic based composite materials is potentially used as a phosphor for different applications ranging from biomedical imaging to lighting applications. A magnetic-ceramic based luminescent materials consisting of cobalt ferrite and Eu3+ doped zirconia is explored in this research work. The main objective of this research work is to develop a composite material consisting Eu3+ doped zirconia and cobalt ferrite for luminescence application. In addition, two different synthesis process such as co-precipitation and solid-state mixing method were adopted to prepare different compositions of Eu3+ doped zirconia and cobalt ferrite [such as (20:80), (80:20) and (99.5:0.5)] composites. Phase evolution, powder morphology, elemental composition and photoluminescence behaviour were also studied in detail. The presence of tetragonal zirconia and cubic phase of cobalt ferrite were observed for different samples depending on the concentration and calcination temperature. Further, the photoluminescence behaviour were compared for the samples calcined at 800 °C and 1000 °C. The emission spectra, while using an excitation wavelength of 393 nm (i.e. near visible) shows a clear indication of the transition peaks of Eu3+-ion at 595 nm and 610 nm, which corresponds to 5𝐷0 →7𝐹1 and 5𝐷0 →7𝐹2 transition, respectively. In addition, the samples calcined at 1000 °C shows improved luminescence behaviour than the samples calcined at 800 °C. The synthesized magnetic ceramic composite materials may be considered as a potential candidate for luminescence applications.