Synthesis, structural, morphological and photoluminescence in UVB emitting Ca3Si2O7:Gd3 + rankinite phosphor for optical applications

The systematic spectroscopic investigation of Rankinite-type Ca 3 Si 2 O 7 :Gd 3+ silicate phosphor as a UVB-emitting material is presented. A series of Gd 3+ -doped Ca 3 Si 2 O 7 silicate phosphor were synthesized using solid state reaction method. Surface morphology, crystallography, and opto-electronic properties of the as synthesized silicate phosphor were analysed using SEM, XRD, and photoluminescence studies respectively. XRD confirms the monoclinic structure having space group of P21/a (#14). Elemental mapping SEM, and EDS studies approve the elemental composition and surface properties. The photoluminescence (PL) emission observed for Gd 3+ emission at 313 nm attributed to 6 P 7/2 → 8 S 7/2 for the fixed 273 nm excitation corresponds to 8 S 7/2 → 6 I 15/2,13/2 . The concentration quenching is recorded at 2.0 mol% of Gd 3+ ions. Van Uitert confirmed the transfer of energy between nearest neighbouring ions, which contributes to the concentration quenching. The obtained results recommend its potential application as optical material for phototherapy and other optical devices.