Enhanced photoluminescence of BaAl2S4:Eu2+ phosphor by Mg2+ ions doping

A series of Ba1−xMgxAl2S4:0.10Eu2+ (0.00≤x≤0.15) phosphors was synthesized under vacuum in sealed silica tubes. The effects of Mg2+ doping on the structure and photoluminescence (PL) properties of BaAl2S4:Eu2+ were investigated systematically. When Ba2+ was substituted by 6 mol% Mg2+, the PL intensity of the resulting Ba0.84Mg0.06Al2S4:0.10Eu2+ phosphor was approximately 2.5 times stronger than that of the single-doped BaAl2S4:0.10Eu2+ phosphor under 395 nm excitation. The fluorescence lifetime of Eu2+ in Ba0.84Mg0.06Al2S4:0.10Eu2+ was calculated as 0.133 μs. Commission Internationale de IʹEclairage chromaticity coordinates showed that the phosphor emissions are in the blue region. The synthesized phosphors show great promise for future applications in white light emitting diodes.