Structural and luminescent studies of erbium-doped CaZrO₃ green-emitting nanophosphors

Erbium (Er) (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt%)-doped CaZrO₃ nanophosphors were synthesized by the sol-gel method using poly(vinyl alcohol) as the chelating agent. Their structural and photoluminescence properties were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD patterns of the samples confirm that nanoscale crystallite sizes. Agglomeration of the samples was observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy images. Energy dispersive spectroscopy measurements confirmed the existence of Ca, Zr, O and Er in the samples. Average particle sizes for the samples were calculated from transmission electron microscopy images. FTIR spectra clearly show characteristic absorption bands related to the metal oxides, as well as some other organic molecules. The photoluminescence spectra show bands in the green region. The Commission International de l'Eclairage coordinates were calculated and found to be in green region.