Improved photoluminescence of BaMgAl10O17 blue phosphor prepared by spray pyrolysis

BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ (BAM) blue phosphor particles with improved photoluminescence (PL) intensity under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation were prepared by a spray pyrolysis process. In order to improve the PL intensity, Er3+ and Nd3+ ions were used as co-doping elements. The VUV characteristics of BAM:Eu2+, M+ (M=Er, Nd) were monitored with varying the Er3+ and Nd3+ content in order to find the optimal co-doping concentration when they were prepared by spray pyrolysis. It was found that doping Er3+ or Nd3+ enhances the PL intensity of BAM:Eu2+ blue phosphor particles. In particular, the M3+ doping effect on the PL intensity was pronounced when the prepared BAM:Eu2+, M3+ particles were excited by 172 nm VUV. The maximum intensity was obtained when the M3+ content was 1.0 at% with respect to Ba element. The PL intensity of BAM:Eu2+, M+ (M=Er3+, Nd3+) particles was also further improved by producing them in a spherical shape, which was successfully achieved by controlling the spray solution. The optimized BAM:Eu2+, M+ particles had about 10% higher PL intensity than that of the commercial particles, which are made by a conventional solid-state reaction.