# Tuning photoluminescence in Gd2O3 via lattice engineering for advanced barcode and LEDs applications

## TL;DR

This paper explores how tuning the lattice structure of Gd2O3 with Eu3+ and Er3+ can produce color-tunable phosphors for secure barcodes and LED applications.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the use of lattice engineering in Gd2O3:Eu3+/Er3+ to achieve tunable photoluminescence for barcode and LED applications.

## Key findings

- Gd2O3:Eu3+/Er3+ phosphor shows emission peaks at multiple wavelengths with high energy transfer efficiency.
- The phosphor's tunable color output enhances barcode security and is suitable for LED applications.
- SEM and TEM analyses reveal porous, irregular, and spherical particle morphologies of the phosphor.

## Abstract

The utilization of luminescent phosphors in barcode technology can enhance the security feature. Using NaOH as a reducing agent, we have prepared Gd2O3:Eu3+/Er3+ for luminescent phosphor. The cubic structure of Gd2O3 phosphor is confirmed by the structural analysis conducted using XRD. Dopant Eu and Er induce lattice contraction and expansion in the host lattice, respectively. Based on SEM analysis, porous and irregular particles with an average size of 401 nm were observed. In Tem analysis of prepared phosphor have some particle are in spherical in shape. The formation of Gd2O3 was confirmed by Gd-O band stretching as shown in the FTIR analysis. The emission in the red and green regions is emitted by Gd2O3:Eu3+ and Gd2O3:Er3+, respectively. The emission peaks of Gd2O3:Eu3+/Er3+ are observed at 524 nm, 539 nm, 549 nm, 563 nm, 593 nm, 612 nm, and 629 nm when it is triggered by 363 nm, with a maximum energy transfer efficiency of 95.93%. Enhancing the security of barcodes can be achieved through the use of color-tunable Gd2O3:Eu3+/Er3+ phosphor. Gd2O3:Er3+ (1.5 mol%) is a prominent candidate for LED bulbs due to its CCT (5765 K).

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-21434-3.