Laser induced down conversion optical characterizations of synthesized Zn2-xMnxSiO4 (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 5 mol%) nanophosphors

Zinc orthosilicate, Zn2SiO4, nanophosphor powders, doped with variable concentrations of divalent manganese ions, were prepared via wet-chemistry sol-gel method combined with furnace firing. The morphology, structure, crystallinity, purity and composition of synthesized phosphors were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transformation infra red spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) techniques, which confirms single crystalline phase with agglomerated morphology. The luminescence properties of Zn2-xMnxSiO4 (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 5 mol%) were investigated by time-resolved laser induced photoluminescence (TRLIP) spectroscopy. The results of luminescence decay time measurements show non-single exponential decay behavior and fast decay time have been observed. The optical parameters like excited state lifetime and trap-depth values have been calculated as a function of firing temperatures