Enhanced photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties in Dy-doped sodium zinc molybdate synthesized a green microwave-assisted method.

This study focuses on the structural, photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties of a Dy-doped sodium zinc molybdate phosphor. The samples were synthesized using a green microwave-assisted method owing to its efficiency in time and energy consumption. The powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) analysis confirmed the monoclinic structure of as-synthesized Dy-doped sodium zinc molybdate with space group 2/. The most prominent excitation band appeared at 348 nm under 590 nm, and the emission spectra for all samples exhibited a sharp peak at around 590 nm, which is attributed to the F → H electric dipole transition of Dy ions. The emission intensity increases with higher Dy doping levels, reaching maximum intensity at a concentration of 6 mol% of Dy in sodium zinc molybdate. Additionally, the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of the Dy sodium zinc molybdate phosphor places it within the orangish region. Dy is also found to play a great role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of sodium zinc molybdate under UV light. These findings indicate that the as-synthesized phosphor holds promise for white LED and water purification applications.