Study on photoluminescence of integrated nano-calcium carbonate (CaCO3) enhanced with dysprosium (Dy) doped calcium borophosphate (CBP) phosphor

Abstract

Purpose There is a strong inducement to develop new inorganic materials to substitute the current industrial pigments, which are known for their poor ultraviolet absorbent and low photoluminescence (PL) properties. The purpose of this paper is to invent a better rare-earth-based pigment material as a spectral modifier with good luminescence properties to enhance the spectral response for photovoltaic panel application. Design/methodology/approach Different phosphor samples made of nano-calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with varied wt.% of the dopant Dysprosium doped calcium borophosphate (CBP/Dy) as (W0 – 0%, W1 – 3,85%, W2 – 7.41%, W3 –10.71% and W4 –13.79%) were prepared via the solid-state diffusion method at 600 °C for 6 h using a muffle furnace. The structural, morphological and luminescence properties of the CaCO3:CBP/Dy powder samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and PL test. Findings The XRD, SEM and FTIR results verified the crystalline formation, morphological behaviour and vibration bonds of synthesized CBP/Dy-doped CaCO3 powder samples. XRD pattern revealed that the synthesized powder samples exhibit crystalline structured materials, and SEM results showed irregular shape and porous-like structured morphologies. FTIR spectrum shows prominent bands at 712, 874 and 1,404 cm−1, corresponding to asymmetric stretching vibrations of CO32− groups and out-of-plane bending. PL characterization of CBP/Dy-doped CaCO3 (sample W) shows emission at 427 nm (λmax) under the excitation of 358 nm. The intensity of PL emission spectra drops due to the concentration quenching effect, while the maximum PL intensity is observed in the W3 phosphor powder system. Research limitations/implications This phosphor powder is expected to find out the potential application such as a spectral modifier which is applied to match the energy of photons with solar cell bandgap to improve spectral absorption and lead to better efficiency. Originality/value The introduction of a nano-CaCO3:CBP/Dy hybrid powder system with good luminescence properties to be used as spectral modifiers for solar cell application has been synthesized in the lab, which is a novel attempt.