Luminescence Properties of Eu2+/Eu3+ Activated Barium Aluminate Phosphors with Gd3+ Concentration Variation

Abstract

BaAl2O4:Eu2+/Eu3+ (1 mol %) co-doped with varying concentrations of Gd3+ (1, 2, 5 and 10 mol%) were prepared by combustion synthesis method at 600°C. All the compositions were investigated for their structural and photoluminescence properties. Samples prepared in open atmosphere showed the presence of both Eu3+ and Eu2+ states which indicates the reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ during the preparation of these compounds. The prepared materials at 600°C showed high intense broad peaks around 498 nm corresponding to Eu2+ and small peaks in the red region which are attributed to the presence of Eu3+. In the 1000°C annealed compounds, the intensity of the peak at 498 nm got increased. The intensity of this broad band for BaAl2O4:Eu2+/Eu3+(1 mol%):Gd3+(1 mol%) was three times than that of BaAl2O4:Eu2+/Eu3+(1 mol%). Thus second rare earth ion (Gd3+) acted as a good sensitizer and enhanced the photoluminescence intensity. The XRD spectra revealed the presence of hexagonal phase of BaAl2O4 as main phase and a small amount of a mixed phase Ba O! 6.6 Al2O3. Doping of Eu3+, Gd3+ did not change the crystalline structure of barium aluminate (BaAl2O4).