Enhanced photoluminescence and charge density studies of novel (Sm 1−x Gd x ) 2 O 3 nanophosphors for WLED applications

Pure Sm2O3 and Gd3+ doped Sm2O3 nanocrystalline powders were synthesized using the combustion method. The structural analysis from the Powder X-ray Diffraction revealed that pure and Gd3+ doped Sm2O3 nanocrystals of cubic phase with \(Ia\bar {3}~\) as the space group were produced. The High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy results confirmed that monodisperse nanocrystals having spherical shape were formed. The results of the Energy-Dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed that the samples were free from impurities. The UV–Vis-IR absorption and photoluminescence studies, carried out to study their optical properties, showed that these materials could be used for solid state lighting devices, particularly for UV/n-UV (near-ultraviolet) excited white light-emitting diodes. The charge density and photoluminescent behaviour in the chosen system were correlated using the MEM/Rietveld analysis.