Development of polymeric based cerium activated YAG film for luminescent applications

Abstract

Cerium activated yttrium aluminium garnet i.e., Ce-doped YAG is an efficient phosphor material and has gained potential as an active material in cathode ray tubes, field emission, vacuum fluorescent displays, UV-sensors/filters, tapered fiber-optic radiation sensors, and aerospace applications. Development of polymeric based Ce-doped YAG and its photoluminescence behaviour have been explored in this research work. Initially, 10 mol % Ce3+ ions doped YAG phosphor powder was prepared via precipitation method using precursor solution containing yttrium nitrate, aluminium nitrate, and cerium nitrate along with ammonia as a precipitating agent. X-ray diffraction analysis of the calcined powders confirmed the phase YAG along with intermediate phases including YAM and YAP. With the increase in calcination temperature i.e., from 1000 °C to 1400 °C, the morphology of the powder changes from rodlike to nearly spherical. Further, an appropriate amount of the calcined powder was mixed with PVDF-DMF solution, and then casted on a glass substrate followed by drying overnight at ~ 40 °C. Further, FTIR, Raman, emission behaviour along with CIE chromaticity coordinates of the powders and film was analysed. Based on the excitation spectrum, the emission behaviour shows a broad peak ranging from 450 nm to 670 nm corresponding to 5d-4f transitions attributing to yellow-green colour. The flexible polymeric Ce-doped YAG based luminescent film has great significance for device, luminescent applications, and optoelectronic sensor to detect harmful UV radiations.