Improved thermal conductivity and tailored phonon dynamics in hexagonal prism-like ZnO:Er3+ upconverting phosphor
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Er3+ ions doped ZnO phosphors have been synthesized by using the chemical co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), UV–Visible, and Raman spectroscopy characterizations were performed for the developed phosphor. Upconversion emission spectra under 980 nm laser diode excitation show detectable Er3+ ion transitions in the visible colour region. The introduction of the Er3+ in the ZnO matrix exhibits two strong new Raman modes at 637 cm−1 due to 2(E2H-E2L) and 830 cm−1 due to A1(TO) + E2L, originating via tailored phonon dynamics. An unusual linewidth narrowing and blue shift of the characteristic Raman band of the wurtzite structure corresponding to the E2H Raman mode of the ZnO: Er3+ phosphor has been observed. An enhanced phonon lifetime of about 1.56 × 10 − 12 s was calculated for the E2H Raman mode. Moreover, the thermal conductivity measurement shows a noticeable increment in the ZnO: Er3+ (0.072 W·m−1·K−1) as compared to the ZnO (0.067 W·m−1·K−1) phosphor due to the reduced electron–phonon coupling. The synthesized ZnO: Er3+ phosphor may be used for upconverting and thermoelectric material development.
Source: Materials Research Express
Authors: Kalpana Singh, Kirti, Abhishek Kumar Soni
Institution: Central University of Punjab
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
OpenAlex ID: W4411936660