Profound investigation of photoluminescent characteristics of Li⁺ sensitized BaCeO₃:Sm³⁺ perovskite synthesized through both combustion and solid-state reaction techniques

Samarium-incorporated barium cerate phosphors have potential applications in the production of amber LEDs. This study compares the effect of two approaches on the photoluminescence of samarium-doped barium cerate perovskite: the solid-state reaction method and the gel combustion technique. Li₂CO₃ is added as a flux in the solid-state method to lower the synthesis temperature. To investigate the effect of Li⁺ ion incorporation, samples were prepared and characterized with different concentrations of Li⁺ ions using both techniques. The samples’ structural, morphological and optical properties were studied using X-ray diffraction, FE-SEM analysis, UV-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The powder XRD analysis showed that the phosphor possesses an orthorhombic crystal structure with Pcmn space group, and crystallographic parameters in the nanometer range. On excitation at 348 nm, peaks in the emission spectra are observed at 616 nm (orange) and 574 nm (yellow). It has been found that samples prepared using gel combustion techniques exhibit better photoluminescence properties than those prepared using the solid-state reaction method owing to structural, morphological and optical modifications. Lithium-ion incorporation enhances luminescence intensity abruptly, making the phosphor more expedient for practical applications. Moreover, when Li⁺ ions are co-doped, the phosphors’ decay duration increases from 1.7 ms to 2.5 ms, indicating improved luminescence efficiency. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation into the effects of synthesis method and codoping on the structural and luminescence properties of samarium-incorporated barium cerate samples, demonstrating how these modifications can significantly impact phosphor performance.