Site spectroscopy probing of Eu³⁺ incorporated into novel LiY_xSr_yZrO_3+α host matrix

In this work, we investigated the spectroscopic properties of $LiY_xSr_yZrO_{3+{\alpha}:Eu^{3+}$, a red emitting nanophosphor based on $SrZrO_3$ perovskite. The synthesis process was an auto-combustion process. X-ray diffractograms show the orthorhombic structure of $SrZrO_3$. Photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectra display a split charge transfer band revealing the presence of two possible sites for the $Eu^{3+}$ ions. The emission spectra at 231 nm excitation illustrate the dominance of the $^5D_0-^7F_1$ transition, which is an indication that the smaller sized $Eu^{3+}$ ions are mostly situated at the more ordered (symmetric) $Sr^{2+}$ sites. The emission spectra at 292 nm & 397 nm excitations show the dominance of $^5D_0-^7F_2$ transition which suggests some of the $Eu^{3+}$ ions are also situated at the distorted $Zr^{4+}$ sites. Both the intensity parameters, asymmetry ratio and the decay lifetimes of the nanophosphors show dependence on $Y^{3+}$ concentration, signifying a modification in the host structure. Maximum quantum efficiency value of ${\approx}46%$ was obtained for the nanophosphors which indicate the need for improvement for practical applications. CIE coordinates show the suitability of this phosphor for both red emission in LED and as a complementary colour for white LED applications.