Enhanced red phosphorescence in nanosized CaTiO3:Pr3+ phosphors

Abstract

The red photoluminescence and phosphorescence originating from D21-H43 transition of Pr3+ in CaTiO3 nanoparticles are studied as a function of Pr3+ concentrations. The nanophosphors exhibit both longer persistence time of 30min and higher quenching concentration of 0.4mol% than the bulk (10min and 0.1mol%). The initial phosphorescence in the nanophosphor is an order of magnitude stronger than that in the bulk at the corresponding quenching concentrations. Phosphorescence decay patterns and diffused reflectance spectra before and after ultraviolet exposure indicate the existence of more traps contributing to phosphorescence in the nanoparticles.