Impact of Dy3+ and Ce3+ ion doping on the photoluminescence, thermoluminescence, and electrochemical properties of strontium aluminate (SrAl2O4) and barium aluminate (BaAl2O4) phosphors

Rare earth (Dy 3+ , Ce 3+ ) ions doped aluminates, specifically SrAl 2 O 4 (SAO) and BaAl 2 O 4 (BAO), were successfully synthesized by using the solid-state reaction route. Structural and morphological analysis of the synthesized phosphors was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Surface composition analysis was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical behavior for energy applications was primarily assessed through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies. Emission colors of the phosphors were confirmed through photoluminescence studies, and their corresponding CIE coordinates were plotted. The most prominent photoluminescence (PL) emission band observed at 472 nm for Dy 3+ doped SAO was attributed to the 4 F 9/2 – 6 H 15/2 transition in the blue region under excitation at a wavelength of 347 nm. The PL emission band at 589 nm for Ce 3+ doped BAO was assigned to the 5D excited level corresponding to the 2 F 5/2 transition in the yellow region under an excitation wavelength of 318 nm. Thermoluminescence studies on the samples confirmed that 0.3 M% Dy 3+ doped SAO could function as a dosimeter (offline radiation detector) for measuring high dose rates in industrial settings. The electrochemical results affirmed the suitability of the as synthesized phosphors for electrochemical energy applications.