Luminescence properties of nano and bulk ZnWO4: Eu3+ phosphors for solid state lighting applications

Abstract Rare earth Eu 3+ doped ZnWO 4 bulk and nanophosphors were synthesized using solid state and hydrothermal reaction methods. Structural, morphological and microstructural characterizations of the as prepared phosphors were done by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Their optical properties such as photoluminescence (PL) emission, thermal quenching and lifetime decay were investigated at 394 nm near UV excitation with respect to dimension which shows better outcome for the nanophosphor than the bulk one. The nanophosphors display homogeneous particles with much smaller dimension compared to the bulk phosphors which in turn intensifies the red emission and also increases the thermal stability.