Size-dependent photoluminescence properties under vacuum ultraviolet excitation of Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ nanophosphors

The Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ nanophosphors with different particle sizes were synthesized via the hydrothermal method by adjusting the concentrations of surfactant and the hydrothermal temperature. The behavior of the photoluminescence as a function of phosphor particle sizes under vacuum ultraviolet excitation was investigated. Higher critical quenching concentration with decreasing particle size of the Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ nanophosphors was observed. This is ascribed to the hindrance of energy transfer between luminescence centers under vacuum ultraviolet excitation. The prolonged decay time in smaller samples provides further evidence that the energy transfer confinement has an effect on the photoluminescence properties.