Ce-doped (1 × 10 −5 to 3.0 mol%) SrBPO 5 phosphors were synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction route at 1273 K in an air atmosphere. Phase and morphology of the samples were studied from powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs, respectively. The band gap energies of the pure and Ce-doped SrBPO 5 phosphors were calculated from the recorded diffuse reflectance spectra. Photoluminescence (PL) and Ce 3+ lifetime were recorded at 300 and 77 K. Photoluminescence lifetime measurements revealed twolifetime values for Ce 3+ at both 300 K (17 and 36 nsec) and 77 K (12 and 30 nsec), suggesting the presence of two different environments around Ce 3+ . Time-resolved emission spectroscopy (TRES) studies confirmed the presence of Ce 3+ in two different environments. In addition, SrBPO 5 :Ce exhibited intense UV emission, signifying its possible use as an efficient sensitizer for solid-state lighting applications. The effect of γ-irradiation on PL was also determined. Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) glow curves of the γ-irradiated phosphor, along with trap parameters, doseresponse, and the possible TSL mechanism were also investigated. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy was carried out to probe defects present in undoped and Ce-doped SrBPO 5 .
KEYWORDSband gap, Ce-doped strontium borophosphate, photoluminescence, positron annihilation, thermally stimulated luminescence, trap parameters
| INTRODUCTIONRare earth-doped solid-state phosphors have been given much attention due to their practical applications in various fields such as the lighting industry, biomedical fields for imaging, and the nuclear industry for scintillation and dosimetry, etc. [1][2][3] Ce 3+ with electronic configuration 4f 1 5d 0 6s 0 displays unique optical properties as an activator. [4,5] Ce 3+ emits in the UV-visible region, and the position of its lowest 5d band strongly depends on many factors such as host lattices, synthesis route, calcination temperature, and size of phosphors particles. [6][7][8][9][10] Unlike trivalent lanthanide ions, Ce 3+ 4f→5d transitions are parity allowed and show intense, broad luminescence that often sensitizes other Ln 3+ ions, enhancing their luminescence efficiency.Since the last decade, researchers have tried to synthesize an efficient green phosphor for multiple applications such as green lasers, siliconbased detectors, solar cells, fluorescence lamps, cathode ray tubes, and plasma display panels. [5,[11][12][13][14] In particular, the efficiency of green emitting Tb 3+ -doped phosphors can be remarkably enhanced by codoping with Ce 3+ in suitable hosts due to efficient energy transfer between Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ and leading to tricolour lamp