Nanosized Eu3+-Doped NaY9Si6O26 Oxyapatite Phosphor: A Comprehensive Insight into Its Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structural, Morphological, Electronic, and Optical Properties

Detailed analysis covered the optical and structural properties of Eu³⁺-doped NaY₉Si₆O₂₆ oxyapatite phosphors, which were obtained via hydrothermal synthesis. X-ray diffraction patterns of NaY₉Si₆O₂₆:xEu³⁺ (x = 0, 1, 5, 7, 10 mol% Eu³⁺) samples proved a single-phase hexagonal structure (<i>P63/m</i> (176) space group). Differential thermal analysis showed an exothermic peak at 995 °C attributed to the amorphous to crystalline transformation of NaY₉Si₆O₂₆. Electron microscopy showed agglomerates composed of round-shaped nanoparticles ~53 nm in size. Room temperature photoluminescent emission spectra consisted of emission bands in the visible spectral region corresponding to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F<i>_J</i> (<i>J</i> = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) <i>f-f</i> transitions of Eu³⁺. Lifetime measurements showed that the Eu³⁺ concentration had no substantial effect on the rather long ⁵D₀-level lifetime. The Eu³⁺ energy levels in the structure were determined using room-temperature excitation/emission spectra. Using the ⁷F₁ manifold, the Nv-crystal field strength parameter was calculated to be 1442.65 cm^-1. Structural, electronic, and optical properties were calculated to determine the band gap value, density of states, and index of refraction. The calculated direct band gap value was 4.665 eV (local density approximation) and 3.765 eV (general gradient approximation). Finally, the complete Judd-Ofelt analysis performed on all samples confirmed the experimental findings.