SrAl2O4:Eu2+(,Dy3+) Nanosized Particles: Synthesis and Interpretation of Temperature-Dependent Optical Properties

Abstract

SrAl2O4nanosized particles (NPs) undoped as well as doped with Eu2+and Dy3+were prepared by combustion synthesis for the discussion of their intensively debated spectroscopic properties. Emission spectra of SrAl2O4:Eu2+(,Dy3+) NPs are composed by a green band at 19 230 cm−1(520 nm) at room temperature, assigned to anomalous luminescence originated by Eu2+in this host lattice. At low temperatures, a blue emission band at 22 520 cm−1(444 nm) is observed. Contrary to most of the interpretations provided in the literature, we assign this blue emission band very reliably to a normal 4f6(7FJ)5d(t2g)→4f7(8S7/2) transition of Eu2+substituting the Sr2+sites. This can be justified by the presence of a fine structure in the excitation spectra due to the different7FJlevels (J=0⋯6) of the 4f6core. Moreover, Fano antiresonances with the6IJ(J=9/2,7/2) levels could be observed. In addition, the Stokes shifts (ΔES=1980 cm−1and 5 270 cm−1for the blue and green emission, resp.), the Huang-Rhys parameters ofS=2.5and 6, and the average phonon energies ofħω=480 cm-1and 470 cm−1coupled with the electronic states could be reliably determined.