MILLING EFFECT AND ENHANCED LUMINESCENCE PROPERTY OF BAM NANOPHOSPHOR VIA SURFACE MODIFICATIONS

Abstract

Surface modification of luminescent nanomaterials has attracted considerable technological interest. With decreasing particle size, the passivation of surface defects is of vital importance. This paper reports the effect of an alkali (KOH) solution treatment and organic functional groups on the luminescence efficiency and particle dispersibility. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy provided clear evidence of surface modification with organic functional groups from the C=O , C–H , and C–O stretching modes at 1740, 1365, and 1218 cm-1. The KOH-treated sample showed a 40% increase in luminescence intensity, whereas 87% increase in luminescence intensity was obtained from the dispersion-agent-containing sample. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest efficiency improvement for sub-micrometer-sized BAM: Eu2+ phosphors reported thus far.