Luminescent properties of Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇:Eu³⁺phosphors prepared by sol-gel process

A novel red phosphor Ba2ZnSi2O7:Eu3+ has been synthesized by sol-gel method. The crystallinity, particle size, morphology, chemical composition and luminescent properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy-dispersion spectrum (EDS) and spectrofluorometer, respectively. The results of thermogravimetric (TG) and XRD indicated that the Ba2ZnSi2O7:Eu3+ phosphors crystallized completely at 900 degrees C. The luminescent properties of phosphor showed red emission is obtained by exciting at 394 and 465 nm which are owing to the sharp F-7(0) -> L-5(6) and F-7(0) -> D-5(2) lines of Eu3+. Two strongest lines at 394 and 465 nm in excitation spectra of the phosphor match well with the two popular emissions from near-ultraviolet (UV) and blue GaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs), so it could be used as red components for white LEDs.