Synthesis of high efficiency Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ green phosphors using nano-particles

In this study, Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ luminescent phosphors were prepared by mixing nano-scale ZnO, SiO2, and MnO2 particles at the compositions corresponding to 2ZnO + SiO2 + X mol% MnO2 (Zn2SiO4–X-MnO2, 0.02 ≤ X ≤ 0.05). The mixing powders were calcined from 900 °C to 1300 °C in air and in N2 atmosphere. No matter calcined in air or in N2 atmosphere, Zn2SiO4 was the mainly crystalline phase in particles calcined at 900 °C and was the only phase in particles calcined at 1000 °C and higher. The influences of MnO2 concentration and calcining atmosphere and temperature on wavelength of luminescence peak and the emission intensity were further intensively investigated. We would show that the calcining atmosphere had no apparent influences on the physical and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ phosphors. The MnO2 content and the calcining temperature were the main reasons to influence the physical and PL characteristics of Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ phosphors.