Indian Journal of Physics, cilt.97, sa.14, ss.4187-4198, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
Eco-friendly luminescent monticellite-based ceramic powders were synthesized from boron derivative waste at low temperatures. It aimed to investigate the effects of rare-earth dopants and synthesis temperature on phase evolution, photoluminescence properties, and microstructural development of Eu3+, Sm3+, and Dy3+-doped powders. The powders synthesized at 800 °C and 900 °C include the same major phases: monticellite, akermanite, and calcium magnesium borate. No rare-earth oxide clusters are observed during their microstructural analysis. However, powders produced at 800 °C give stronger emission lines than 900 °C. Eu3+-doped powders exhibited characteristic emission at 619 nm originating from the 5D0 → 7F2 transition under excitation at 248 nm, assuring CIE color coordinates of standard red light. A strong emission in the orange-red region (610 nm) is assigned to the 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 transition of Sm3+ upon excitation at 408 nm. Moreover, Dy3+-doped powders demonstrate two major emission lines at 489 nm (blue) and 583 nm (yellow) attributed to typical 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 transitions under 392 nm, providing the color coordinates of CIE (Commission International de I’Eclairage) close to white light. Therefore, RE3+-doped monticellite-based ceramic powders, produced from boron derivative waste in an eco-friendly way, carry the potential to be used as luminescent materials for lighting, display, and bioimaging applications. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].