Combustion synthesis and luminescence properties of SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphor

Abstract

Abstract Eu 2+ , Dy 3+ and Tb 3+ co‐doped strontium aluminate phosphor with high brightness and long afterglow was synthesized by a combustion method, using urea as a reducer. The properties of SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ ,Tb 3+ phosphor with a series of initiating combustion temperatures, urea concentrations and boric acid molar fractions were investigated. The sample at initiating combustion temperature of 600°C exhibited an intense emission peak at 513 nm, in which the phosphor existed as a single‐phase monoclinic structure. The experimental results showed that the optimum ratio of urea is 2.0 times higher than theoretical quantities and that the suitable molar fraction of H 3 BO 3 is 0.08. The average particle size of the phosphor was 50–80 nm and its luminescence properties were studied systematically. Compared with SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ phosphor, the initial luminescence brightness improved from 2.50 candela (cd)/m 2 to 3.55 cd/m 2 and the long afterglow time was prolonged from 1290 s to 2743 s. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.