Energy transfer mechanism in Eu³⁺ doped tin oxide nanophosphors for red solid state lighting

A europium doped tin oxide (SnO₂:Eu³⁺) nanophosphor is prepared by using of solution-combustion process with a variation in the doping amount of Eu³⁺. The results recorded by X-ray diffraction are established that SnO₂: Eu³⁺ has a polycrystalline tetragonal structure without phase alteration for each concentration of Eu³⁺. The undoped SnO₂ nanoparticles showed only defects related emission while emission due to the f→f transitions of Eu³⁺ ion is observed upon doping. The optimized photoluminescent intensity was observed for 3 mol% Eu³⁺. The life-time measurement of Eu³⁺ -doped SnO₂ associated with major emission band located at 612 nm was monitored as 0.3 ms for the 3 mol% of Eu concentration. The present results reveal that Eu³⁺ -doped SnO₂ nanoparticles may be used as a source of red light phosphor and this may be utilized for solid white light emitting application.