Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Eu3+ activated Ce0.5Al0.5O2-δ nanophosphors for WLEDs application

A series of Eu3+ activated Ce0.5Al0.5O2-δ nanophosphors have been synthesized by the nitrate – citrate gel combustion method. All the compounds crystallized in the cubic fluorite CeO2 structure with space group Fm-3m (No. 225). FESEM revealed the flakes-like morphology. The average particle size was estimated from TEM studies and found to be in the range 15–25 nm. The values were in good agreement with the Scherer’s method. In photoluminescence (PL) spectra, the 5D0→7F2 (612 nm) transition dominates than other transitions which indicates that the Eu3+ ions occupy a site without inversion center. CIE chromaticity diagram confirmed that these nanophosphors can be useful in the fabrication of red component in white light emitting diodes (WLEDs).