Production of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ green-emitting phosphor nano-pigment powders via microwave processing route

Abstract

Purpose The present paper aims to synthesize SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ green-emitting phosphor nano-pigment powder using a combination of citrate – gel processing and microwave-assisted heating route. Design/methodology/approach Microwave-assisted citrate – gel processing of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ green-emitting phosphor nano-pigment powder has been carried out by varying the pH and the molar ratio of H3Cit/Al3+ + Sr2+ +Eu2++Dy3+ (f/o). X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the produced powders were nearly pure SrAl2O4 phase, in which the SrAl2O4 host phase has the maximum fraction of green-emitting monoclinic SrAl2O4 phase. Findings Spectrophotometer results revealed that two excitation peaks appeared at 238 and 339 nm and an emission peak at 515 nm. The crystallite size of the green-emitting phosphor nano-pigment powder was about 37 nm as determined by Scherrer’s formula. The best conditions for formation of monoclinic SrAl2O4 phase with high purity were achieved at pH of precursor solution equal to 7 and the molar ratio of f/o equal to 3. Originality/value The present research work for the first time (to the best of the authors’ knowledge) has used microwave and sol–gel combination techniques to produce green-emitting phosphor nano-pigment powder (without using any other heating system).