6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
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Structural, morphological, and optical properties of Pr3+-doped La2ZnTiO6 nanophosphors prepared via the sol-gel method

7 Jul 2026, 17:20
1h 20m
Great Hall (University of the Western Cape)

Great Hall

University of the Western Cape

Poster Presentation Track A - Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials Poster Session 1

Speaker

Delicacy Ntshalintshali (University of the Free State - Qwaqwa Campus)

Description

Research on phosphor materials has gained prominence due to the prospective applications of rare-earth (RE³⁺) ion-activated phosphors in sensors, displays, and lighting. This study presents the synthesis of novel red light-emitting Pr³⁺-doped La₂ZnTiO₆ nanophosphors using a citric acid-assisted method. This study systematically investigated how varying Pr³⁺ doping concentrations (0 ≤ x ≤ 4.0) influence the material's structural, morphological, and optical properties. X-ray diffraction results indicated that all La₂ZnTiO₆:x%Pr³⁺ (0 ≤ x ≤ 4.0) nanophosphors had monoclinic crystal structures. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed predominantly irregular polyhedral morphologies, with particle size varying as the Pr³⁺ concentration increased. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) verified the incorporation of all expected elemental constituents. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated minimal variations in vibrational modes, suggesting that Pr³⁺ incorporation does not significantly distort the host lattice's fundamental structure. The UV-Vis spectra showed that the diffuse reflectance was dominated by absorption edge bands at 299 and 378 nm for undoped La₂ZnTiO₆. Upon Pr³⁺ doping, six distinct absorption bands were displayed at 450, 471, 478, 491, 596, and 609 nm, corresponding to the electron transitions of Pr³⁺. After monitoring the excitation at 290 nm, the photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed four emission bands centered at 489, 610, and 704 nm, attributed to the ³P₀→³H₄, ¹D₂→³H₄, and ¹D₂→³H₅ transitions of Pr³⁺ ions, respectively. The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) colour chromaticity diagram confirmed a white colour for the undoped La₂ZnTiO₆. Upon doping with x mol% of Pr³⁺, a red-shifted colour emission was observed. The results indicated that it would be a suitable component for PC-LEDs that emit white or red light.

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Authors

Delicacy Ntshalintshali (University of the Free State - Qwaqwa Campus) Prof. Hendrik Swart (University of the Free State - Bloemfontein Campus) Prof. Lehlohonolo Koao (University of the Free State - Qwaqwa Campus)

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