title: Bio-inspired synthesis of Y2O3: Eu(3+) red nanophosphor for eco-friendly photocatalysis.
abstract: We report the synthesis of Y2O3: Eu(3+) (1-11 mol%) nanoparticles (NPs) with different morphologies via eco-friendly, inexpensive and simple low temperature solution combustion method using Aloe Vera gel as fuel. The formation of different morphologies of Y2O3: Eu(3+) NPs were characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, UV-Visible and PL techniques. The PXRD data and Rietveld analysis confirms the formation of single phase Y2O3 with cubic crystal structure. The influence of Eu(3+) ion concentration on the morphology, UV-Visible absorption, PL emission and photocatalytic activity of Y2O3: Eu(3+) nanostructures were investigated. Y2O3: Eu(3+) NPs exhibit intense red emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.50, 0.47) and correlated color temperature values at different excitation ranges from 1868 to 2600 K. The control of Eu(3+) ion on Y2O3 matrix influences the photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue (MB) as a model compound was evaluated under UVA light. Enhanced photocatalytic activity of conical shaped Y2O3: Eu(3+) (1 mol%) was attributed to dopant concentration, crystallite size, textural properties and capability of reducing the electron-hole pair recombination. The trend of inhibitory effect in the presence of different radical scavengers followed the order SO4(2-)>Cl(-)>C2H5OH>HCO3(-)>CO3(2-). These findings show great promise of Y2O3: Eu(3+) NPs as a red phosphor in warm white LEDs as well as eco-friendly heterogeneous photocatalysis.
authors: Department of Physics, GFGC Tumkur, Tumkur 572 102, Karnataka, India; Department of Physics, Sathyabama University, Jeppiaar Nagar, Chennai 600 119, Tamilnadu, India.
authors: J B
authors: JB
authors: Prasanna kumar
authors: Department of Physics, Maharani's Science College, Palace Road, Bangalore 560 001, Karnataka, India.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Ramgopal
authors: Department of Physics, Lal Bahadur Shastry Government First Grade College, Bangalore 560 032, India. Electronic address: vidyays.phy@gmail.com.
authors: Y S
authors: YS
authors: Vidya
authors: Research Center, Department of Science, East West Institute of Technology, Bangalore 560 091, India. Electronic address: ananth.che@gmail.com.
authors: K S
authors: KS
authors: Anantharaju
authors: Department of Physics, B M S Institute of Technology, Yelahanka, Bangalore 560064, India.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Daruka Prasad
authors: Chattisgarh Swami Vivekananda Technical University, Bhilai (CG) 493441, India.
authors: S C
authors: SC
authors: Sharma
authors: Research Center, Department of Science, East West Institute of Technology, Bangalore 560 091, India.
authors: S C
authors: SC
authors: Prashantha
authors: Department of Physics, Acharya Institute of Technology, Bangalore 560 090, India.
authors: H B
authors: HB
authors: Premkumar
authors: Prof. CNR Rao Centre for Advanced Materials, Tumkur University, Tumkur 572103, India. Electronic address: bhushanvlc@gmail.com.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Nagabhushana
mesh_terms: D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry; D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D002384:Catalysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization; D005063:Europium / Q000737:chemistry*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D055772:Green Chemistry Technology; D007700:Kinetics; D008027:Light; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000737:chemistry; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011208:Powders; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013696:Temperature; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015019:Yttrium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005782:Gels; D049408:Luminescent Agents; D010087:Oxides; D011208:Powders; D005063:Europium; D015019:Yttrium; D008751:Methylene Blue
keywords: Aloe Vera gel; Bio-inspired; Eu(3+); Nanophosphors; Photocatalysis; Y(2)O(3)