Fluorescence and phosphorescence properties of the low temperature forms of the MAl2Si2O8:Eu (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) compounds

The fluorescence and phosphorescence properties of Europium-doped MAl₂Si₂O₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) are reinvestigated and discussed on the basis of the propensity of an activator to agglomerate with an oxygen vacancy. Due to a stronger attraction of the anion vacancy towards Eu²⁺ cations going from BaAl₂Si₂O₈ to SrAl₂Si₂O₈ and CaAl₂Si₂O₈ host lattices, the interpretation of the fluorescence spectra turns out to be less trivial in the Ca and Sr host lattices than in the Ba one and requests the account for Eu²⁺ cations lying at alkaline-earth sites with or without vacancy in their neighborhood. Phosphorescence in these compounds is highlighted.     

A new BaB2Si2O8:Eu/Eu, Tb phosphor - Synthesis and photoluminescence properties

In the present work, we have synthesized maleevite mineral phase BaB₂Si₂O₈ for the first time, which is isostructural with the pekovite mineral SrB₂Si₂O₈. In these europium doped host lattices, we observed the partial reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ at high temperature during the synthesis in air. Tb³⁺ co-doping in MB₂Si₂O₈:0.01(Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺) [M=Sr, Ba] improves the emission properties towards white light. The emission color varies from bluish white to greenish white under UV lamp excitation when the host cation changes from Sr to Ba.     

Crystal structure of Na2MMgP2O8 (M: Ba, Sr, Ca) orthophosphates and their luminescence properties activated by Eu; analogous structural behaviors of glaserite-type phosphates and silicates

Rietveld refinements of X-ray powder diffraction data and vibrational spectroscopy have confirmed the crystal structure of Na₂MMgP₂O₈ (M: Ba, Sr, Ca) prepared by a standard solid state reaction. They have glaserite-type layered structure. Na₂MMgP₂O₈ has a trigonal P3? form for M=Ba, and monoclinic P2₁/c forms for M=Sr and Ca. The observed structural transition is analogous to the corresponding layered orthosilicate M₃MgSi₂O₈.Eu²⁺-doped Na₂MMgP₂O₈ exhibits an intense blue to violet emission under ultraviolet excitation, based on 5d-4f electron transition of Eu²⁺ ions. The emission character is very sensitive to the structural transition induced by M²⁺ and the subsequent site symmetry changes.     

Crystal structure of Eu-doped M3MgSi2O8 (M: Ba, Sr, Ca) compounds and their emission properties

Emission properties of Eu²⁺-doped M₃MgSi₂O₈ (M: Ba, Sr, Ca) are discussed in terms of the crystal structure. When Ba²⁺ ions account for over one third of M²⁺ ions, M₃MgSi₂O₈ crystallizes in glaserite-type trigonal structure, while Ba-free compounds crystallize in merwinite-type monoclinic structure. Under UV excitation, the Eu²⁺-doped glaserite-type compounds exhibit an intense blue emission assigned to 5d-4f electron transition at about 435 nm, regardless of the molar ratio of Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions. By contrast, the Eu²⁺-doped merwinite-type compounds show an emission color sensitive to the ratio. A detailed analysis of the emission spectra reveals that the emission chromaticity for the Eu²⁺-doped M₃MgSi₂O₈ is composed of two emission peaks reflecting two different sites accommodating M²⁺ ion.     

Electronic properties and rare-earth ions photoluminescence behaviors in borosilicate: SrB2Si2O8

Undoped and RE ions doped SrB₂Si₂O₈ were successfully synthesized. After the application of UV and VUV spectroscopy measurements, we made a novel discovery that the emission of SrB₂Si₂O₈:Eu prepared in air can be switched between red and blue by the different excitations. The information is that quite a part of Eu³⁺ was spontaneously reduced to Eu²⁺ in air. The PL properties of Eu²⁺ in VUV and Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in UV-VUV region in SrB₂Si₂O₈ were evaluated for the first time. The excitation mechanisms of the O²⁻-Eu³⁺ CT, Ce³⁺f-d and Tb³⁺f-d transitions in UV region as well as the Eu³⁺f-d, O²⁻-Ce³⁺ CT, O²⁻-Tb³⁺ CT transitions and the host lattice absorption in VUV region were established. In addition, first principles calculation within the LDA of the DFT was applied to calculate the electronic structure and linear optical properties of SrB₂Si₂O₈ and the results were compared with the experimental data.     

A re-investigation of the crystal structure and luminescence of BaCa2MgSi2O8:Eu

Barium calcium magnesium silicate (BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈), a compound whose space group was obtained via X-ray diffraction data, was re-investigated using neutron diffraction techniques. A combined powder X-ray and neutron Rietveld method revealed that BaCa₂MgSi₂O₈ crystallizes in the trigonal space group P3? (Z=1, a=5.42708(5) Å, c=6.79455(7) Å, V=173.310(4) Å³; R_p/R_wp=5.52%/7.63%), instead of the previously believed space group P3?m1. The difference in the two structures arises from the displacement of the O2 atom. Blue emission from Ba_0.98Eu_0.02Ca₂MgSi₂O₈ under 325-nm excitation is ascribed to the 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transitions of Eu²⁺ ions at Ba sites and Ca sites. Site assignment of Eu²⁺ ions in the titled compound was performed by analysis of emission spectra at temperatures in the range of 4.2-300 K.     

Controlled synthesis and luminescent properties of Eu(Eu), Dy-doped Sr3Al2O6 phosphors by hydrothermal treatment and postannealing approach

In this work, Sr₃Al₂O₆: Eu²⁺ (Eu³⁺), Dy³⁺ phosphors have been prepared by hydrothermal treatment and subsequently postannealing approach, using Sr(NO₃)₂, Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, and CO(NH₂)₂ as starting materials. The as-obtained phosphors were characterized by means of XRPD, FESEM, and PL techniques. In addition, many reaction parameters were studied in detail, including the initial mole ratios, hydrothermal reaction temperature, calcination temperature and calcination atmosphere. Remarkably, two scientific merits exist herein: Sr₃Al₂O₆: Eu²⁺ (Eu³⁺), Dy³⁺ phosphors can be selectively obtained in a reducing atmosphere (H₂/Ar, 20%+80%) and in air, respectively; adding certain amount of sodium citrate can alter the shape and size of Sr₃Al₂O₆: Eu²⁺ (Eu³⁺), Dy³⁺ phosphors in essence. Besides, the luminescent properties of Sr₃Al₂O₆: Eu²⁺ (Eu³⁺), Dy³⁺ phosphors were studied by excitation spectra, emission spectra and decay curves.     

Preparation and photoluminescence properties of Mn-activated M2Si5N8 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) phosphors

Mn²⁺-doped M₂Si₅N₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) phosphors have been prepared by a solid-state reaction method at high temperature and their photoluminescence properties were investigated. The Mn²⁺-activated M₂Si₅N₈ phosphors exhibit narrow emission bands in the wavelength range of 500-700 nm with peak center at about 599, 606 and 567 nm for M=Ca, Sr, Ba, respectively, due to the ⁴T₁(⁴G)→⁶A₁(⁶S) transition of Mn²⁺. The long-wavelength emission of Mn²⁺ ion in the host of M₂Si₅N₈ is attributed to the effect of a strong crystal-field of Mn²⁺ in the nitrogen coordination environment. Also it is observed that there exists energy transfer between M₂Si₅N₈ host lattice and activator (Mn²⁺). The potential applications of these phosphors have been pointed out.     

空气中合成固溶体荧光粉Ba2(Zn, Mg)Si2O7:Ce3+,Eu2+,Eu3+及其发光特性

采用高温固相法在空气中合成了Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇:0.03Eu,yCe³⁺系列荧光粉。分别采用X-射线衍射和荧光光谱对所合成荧光粉的物相和发光性质进行了表征。在紫外光330~360 nm激发下,固溶体荧光粉Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇:0.03Eu的发射光谱在350~725 nm范围内呈现多谱峰发射,360和500 nm处有强的宽带发射属于Eu²⁺离子的4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷跃迁,590~725 nm红光区窄带谱源于Eu³⁺的⁵D₀-⁷F_J (J=1,2,3,4)跃迁,这表明,在空气气氛中,部分Eu³⁺在Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇基质中被还原成了Eu²⁺;当x=0.1时,荧光粉Ba_1.97Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.03Eu的绿色发光最强,表明Eu³⁺被还原成Eu²⁺离子的程度最大。当共掺入Ce³⁺离子后,形成Ba_1.97-yZn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.03Eu,yCe³⁺荧光粉体系,其发光随着Ce³⁺离子浓度的增大由蓝绿区经白光区到达橙红区;发现名义组成为Ba_1.96Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.01Ce³⁺,0.03Eu的荧光粉的色坐标为(0.323,0.311),接近理想白光,是一种有潜在应用价值的白光荧光粉。讨论了稀土离子在Ba₂Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇基质中的能量传递与发光机理。     

Synthesis of the complex fluoride LiBaF3 and optical spectroscopy properties of LiBaF3:M(M=Eu,Ce) through a solvothermal process

The complex fluoride LiBaF₃ and LiBaF₃:M(M=Eu, Ce) is solvothermally synthesized at 180°C and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. In the solvothermal process, the solvents, molar ratios of initial mixtures and reaction temperature play important roles in the formation of products. The excitation and emission spectra of the LiBaF₃:M(M=Eu,Ce) have been measured by fluorescence spectrophotometer. In the LiBaF₃:Eu emission spectra, there is one sharp line emission located at 360 nm arising from f→f transition of Eu²⁺ in the host lattice, and typical doublet 5d-4f emission of Ce³⁺ in LiBaF₃ powder is shown.     

Rietveld refinement and photoluminescent properties of a new blue-emitting material: Eu activated SrZnP2O7

A new efficient blue phosphor, Eu²⁺ activated SrZnP₂O₇, has been synthesized at 1000 °C under reduced atmosphere and the crystal structure and photoluminescence properties have been investigated. The crystal structure of SrZnP₂O₇ was obtained via Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. It was found that SrZnP₂O₇ crystallizes in space group of P2₁/n (no. 14), Z=4, and the unit cell dimensions are: a=5.30906(2) Å, b=8.21392(3) Å, c=12.73595(5) Å, β=90.1573(3)°, and V=555.390(3) Å³. Under ultraviolet excitation (200-400 nm), efficient Eu²⁺ emission peaked at 420 nm was observed, of which the luminescent efficiency at the optimal concentration of Eu²⁺ (4 mol%) was estimated to be 96% as that of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺. Hence, the SrZnP₂O₇:Eu²⁺ exhibit great potential as a phosphor in different applications, such as ultraviolet light emitting diode and photo-therapy lamps.     

M5(PO4)3F (M=Ca, Sr, Ba)中Sm3+的电荷迁移态及Sm3+和Eu3+的电荷迁移能量关系

采用高温固相反应合成了M_5-2xSm_xNa_x(PO₄)₃F(M=Ca,Sr,Ba)荧光体,研究了其在真空紫外-可见光范围的发光特性。发现在Ca₅(PO₄)₃F中Sm³⁺的电荷迁移带约在191 nm,在Sr₅(PO₄)₃F中约在199 nm,而在Ba₅(PO₄)₃F中约在204 nm,随着被取代碱土离子半径的增大电荷迁移能量逐渐减小。比较了M₅(PO₄)₃F (M=Ca,Sr,Ba)中Sm³⁺和Eu³⁺电荷迁移能量的关系。     

Metallic Re-Re bond formation in different MRe2O6 (MFe, Co, Ni) rutile-like polymorphs: The role of temperature in high-pressure synthesis

Different polymorphs of MRe₂O₆ (MFe, Co, Ni) with rutile-like structures were prepared using high-pressure high-temperature synthesis. For syntheses temperatures higher than ∼1573 K, tetragonal rutile-type structures (P4₂/mnm) with a statistical distribution of M- and Re-atoms on the metal position in the structure were observed for all three compounds, whereas rutile-like structures with orthorhombic or monoclinic symmetry, partially ordered M- and Re-ions on different sites and metallic Re-Re-bonds within Re₂O₁₀-pairs were found for CoRe₂O₆ and NiRe₂O₆ at a synthesis temperature of 1473 K. According to the XPS measurements, a mixture of Re⁺⁴/Re⁺⁶ and M²⁺/M³⁺ is present in both structural modifications of CoRe₂O₆ and NiRe₂O₆. The low-temperature forms contain more Re⁺⁴ and M³⁺ than the high-temperature forms. Tetragonal and monoclinic modifications of NiRe₂O₆ order with a ferromagnetic component at ∼24 K, whereas tetragonal and orthorhombic CoRe₂O₆ show two magnetic transitions: below ∼17.5 and 27 K for the tetragonal and below 18 and 67 K for the orthorhombic phase. Tetragonal FeRe₂O₆ is antiferromagnetic below 123 K.     

A new promising phosphor, Na3La2(BO3)3:Ln (Ln=Eu, Tb)

We present an efficient way to search a host for ultraviolet (UV) phosphor from UV nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. With the guidance, Na₃La₂(BO₃)₃ (NLBO), as a promising NLO material with a broad transparency range and high damage threshold, was adopted as a host material for the first time. The lanthanide ions (Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺)-doped NLBO phosphors have been synthesized by solid-state reaction. Luminescent properties of the Ln-doped (Ln=Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺) sodium lanthanum borate were investigated under UV ray excitation. The emission spectrum was employed to probe the local environments of Eu³⁺ ions in NLBO crystal. For red phosphor, NLBO:Eu, the measured dominating emission peak was at 613 nm, which is attributed to ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺. The luminescence indicates that the local symmetry of Eu³⁺ in NLBO crystal lattice has no inversion center. Optimum Eu³⁺ concentration of NLBO:Eu³⁺ under UV excitation with 395 nm wavelength is about 30 mol%. The green phosphor, NLBO:Tb, showed bright green emission at 543 with 252 nm excited light. The measured concentration quenching curve demonstrated that the maximum concentration of Tb³⁺ in NLBO was about 20%. The luminescence mechanism of Ln-doped NLBO (Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺) was analyzed. The relative high quenching concentration was also discussed.     

The effect of replacement of Sr by Ca on the structural and luminescence properties of the red-emitting Sr2Si5N8:Eu LED conversion phosphor

The influence of the replacement of Sr by Ca on structural and luminescence properties of Eu²⁺-doped Sr₂Si₅N₈ is reported. The Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction data shows that the Ca²⁺ ion preferentially occupies the larger Sr site in Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺. Although the excitation spectrum is hardly modified, the position of the emission band of Eu²⁺ can be tailored through partial replacement of Sr by Ca in Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, resulting in red-emission shifting from 620 to 643 nm. Furthermore, (Sr, Ca)₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺ shows high potential as a conversion phosphor for white-light LED applications due to similar absorption, conversion efficiency and thermal quenching behaviour for 465 nm excitation after the introduction of the Ca ion.     

Crystal structure of BaMg2Si2O7 and Eu luminescence

Crystal structure of BaMg₂Si₂O₇ was determined and refined by a combined powder X-ray and neutron Rietveld method (monoclinic, C2/c, no. 15, Z=8, a=7.24553(8) Å, b=12.71376(14) Å, c=13.74813(15) Å, β=90.2107(8)°, V=1266.44(2) Å³; R_p/R_wp=3.38%/4.77%). The structure contains a single crystallographic type of Ba atom coordinated to eight O atoms with C₁ (1) site symmetry. Under 325-nm excitation Ba_0.98Eu_0.02Mg₂Si₂O₇ exhibits an asymmetric emission band around 402 nm. The asymmetric shape of the emission band is likely associated with a small electron-phonon coupling in BaMg₂Si₂O₇. The integrated intensity of the emission band was observed to remain constant over the temperature range 4.2-300 K.     

Vacuum Ultraviolet Excited Photoluminescence Properties of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ Phosphor

As an Hg-free lamp using phosphor, the Bi^3＋ and EH^3＋ co-doped Y2O2S phosphors were prepared and their luminescence properties under vacuum ultraviolet（VUV） excitation were investigated. The VUV photoluminescent intensity of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋ was weak, however, considerably stronger red emission at 626 nm with good color purity was observed in Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ systems. Investigation on the photoluminescence reveals that the strong VUV luminescence of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ at 147 nm is mainly because the Bi^3＋ acts as a medium and effectively performs the energy transfer process： Y^3＋-O^2-→Bi^3＋→Eu^3＋, while the intense emission band at 172 nm is attributed to the absorption of the characteristic ^1So-^1P1 transition of Bi^3＋ and the direct energy transfer from Bi^3＋ to Eu^3＋. The Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ shows excellent VUV optical properties compared with the commercial （Y,Gd）BO3：Eu^3＋. Thus, the Y2O2S：Eu^3＋,Bi^3＋ can be a potential red VUV-excited candidate applied in Hg-free lamps for backlight of liquid crystal display.     

The non-centrosymmetric borate oxides, MBi2B2O7 (M=Ca, Sr)

Two novel noncentrosymmetric borates oxides, MBi₂B₂O₇ or MBi₂O(BO₃)₂ (MCa, Sr), have been synthesized by solid-state reactions in air at temperatures in the 600-700 °C range. Their crystal structures have been determined ab initio and refined using powder neutron diffraction data. CaBi₂B₂O₇ crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pna2₁ space group with a=8.9371(5) Å, b=5.4771(3) Å, c=12.5912(7) Å, Z=4, R_wp=0.118, χ²=2.30. SrBi₂B₂O₇ crystallizes in the hexagonal P6₃ space group with a=9.1404(4) Å, c=13.0808(6) Å, Z=6, R_wp=0.115, χ²=4.15. Large displacement parameters suggest the presence of disorder in SrBi₂B₂O₇ as also revealed by diffuse 2×a superstructure reflections in electron diffraction patterns. Both structures are built of identical (001) neutral layers of corner-sharing BO₃ triangles and MO₆ trigonal prisms forming six-membered rings in which Bi₂O groups are located. Adjacent layers are stacked in a staggered configuration and connected through weak Bi-O bonds. A moderate efficiency for second harmonic generation (SHG) has been measured for a powder sample of CaBi₂B₂O₇ (d_eff=2d_eff(KDP)).     

A study of magnetic interactions in M2EuRuO6 (M = Ca,Sr, Ba) by 151Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy

The series of compounds M₂EuRuO₆ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) has been studied by ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy. X-Ray data show them to be structurally derived from the ABO₃ perovskite lattice, but only the Ba compound gives positive evidence to suggest ordering of the $\text{Eu}{}^{\mathrm{3+}}\text{Ru}{}^{\mathrm{5+}}$ cations. The ¹⁵¹Eu resonance shows magnetic hyperfine splitting at 4.2 K. The Ru⁵⁺OEu³⁺ORu⁵⁺ exchange takes place by admixture of low-lying excited states into the diamagnetic J = 0 ground-state of the Eu³⁺. The Curie temperatures are approximately 18, 31, and 42 K for the Ca, Sr, and Ba compounds. Detailed analysis shows that substantial disorder of cations occurs, being quite large for Ca, <8% for Sr, and <5% for Ba. However, it appears that considerable canting of the Ru⁵⁺ spins takes place in the Ba compound immediately below the Curie temperature as a result of the disorder and low anisotropy at the Ru sites. This effect is much reduced in the more distorted Sr compound.     

Synthesis and spectral characteristics of Sr2Y8(SiO4)6O2: Eu polycrystals

Spectral-luminescent characteristics of Sr₂Y₈(SiO₄)₆O₂: Eu powder crystal phosphor with the apatite structure and high-intensity luminescence of Eu³⁺ ions have been studied. The charge state of europium in the samples has been characterized by means of X-ray L₃-adsorption spectroscopy. It was established that Eu³⁺ forms two types of optical centers. Besides, luminescence of Eu²⁺ions was found. Reduction Eu³⁺→Eu²⁺ was considered, which may be due to vacancy formation in the 4f crystal lattice position and to negative charge transfer by this vacancy to two ions. Thus, in the silicate lattice there exist inhomogeneously distributed oxygen-deficient centers, which are responsible for nonradiative transfer of excitation energy to Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions. To study electron-vibrational interactions in the crystal phosphor samples, their IR and Raman spectra were examined. In the luminescence spectrum of Eu²⁺, a series of low-intensity bands caused by interaction of the 4f⁶5d state of Eu²⁺ with silicate lattice vibrations was observed.