Synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of Dy incorporated MoO₃ phosphor: Suppression concentration quenching

A series of MoO₃:Dy³⁺ phosphors have been synthesized via the gel-combustion method. The X-ray and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra were employed to characterize the obtained phosphors. The prepared samples were characterized through XRD measurements and exhibited that Dy³⁺ ions can be successfully incorporated into the host material. The PL emission bands of Dy³⁺ doped MoO₃ were observed at 486 nm, 574 nm and 666 nm which are assigned to the transitions of ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2, ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_11/2, respectively. Concentration quenching were largely taken into consideration as one of the crucial aspects limiting the application range of phosphors in today's modern world. An abnormal thermal quenching dependence was reported when Dy³⁺ ions were incorporated into MoO₃ host matrix. In order to understand the origin of this beneficial behaviour, energy transfer processes occurring via radiative and nonradiative mechanisms were investigated to elucidate this suppression of the concentration quenching.