Photocurable silica hybrid organic–inorganic films for photonic applications

This paper reports the detailed preparation process of Eu²⁺ activated Sr₃Al₂O₆ by a sol-gel method in the reducing atmosphere. The effect of the calcining temperature on the microstructure, crystalline particle morphology and luminescence properties of Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ is systematically discussed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectrophotometer were employed to characterize the phosphor. The Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders calcined at 1200 °C for 2 h possessed a Sr₃Al₂O₆ single cubic phase. The Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ crystallites showed flower-like morphology. The Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders exhibited a red broad emission band with emission peak at 612 nm under 472 nm excitation. Especially the Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders prepared at 1200 °C showed the strongest luminescence intensity, due to the pure phase and higher crystallinity of Sr₃Al₂O₆.