Blue Electroluminescence from Eu²⁺-Doped GaN@SiO₂ Nanostructures Tuned to Industrial Standards

Abstract

We have tuned the blue electroluminescence of surface-modified Eu2+-doped GaN@SiO2 nanoparticle to industrial standards with a peak at 450 nm and Commission Internationale de I’Eclairage (CIE–1931) coordinates of X = 0.15 and Y = 0.15. The blue electroluminescence was observed on applying a 14 V forward bias to the devices. The Eu2+-doped GaN@SiO2 nanoparticles were obtained on nitridation of Eu3+-doped Ga2O3@SiO2 nanoparticles at 900 °C. Subsequently, the surface of the Eu2+-doped GaN@SiO2 nanostructure was modified by reacting with dodecyletriethoxysilane at 80 °C, which enabled it to be dispersible in toluene, xylene, and benzene. Tuning of the CIE coordinates is dependent on the ratio of nitrogen to oxygen in the coordinating sphere of Eu2+ ions which is the origin of the blue electroluminescence.