Preparation and photoluminescence properties of the Sr1.56Ba0.4SiO4:0.04Eu2+ phosphor

The Sr1.56Ba0.4SiO4:0.04Eu2+ phosphors were prepared via a combustion reaction and following the calcination method at low temperature. The influences of the amount of the uncommonly used SrCl2 flux, different calcination temperatures and time on the structure and the photoluminescence (PL) properties of the phosphors were investigated. Under the excitation of 450 nm blue light, the phosphor shows the intense broad emission band from 490 nm to 650 nm, and the emission peak is centered at 553 nm. The luminescence intensity of Sr1.56Ba0.4SiO4:0.04Eu2+ was very sensitive to the crystallinity and morphology characteristics of the phosphor. The phosphor calcined at 950 °C for 3 h in 20%H2/80%Ar atmosphere exhibits improved PL properties due to its high crystallinity and excellent morphology characteristics. The use of the SrCl2 flux provides a novel way to improve the crystallinity of the silicates phosphors at low preparation temperature.