Molten salt synthesis and photoluminescence properties of novel red emitting phosphors Ba5(VO4)3Cl:Eu3+,K+

Abstract

A series of Ba5(VO4)3Cl:Eu3+,K+ phosphors have been synthesized by the molten salt synthesis method. The crystalline structure, morphology, photoluminescence properties and lifetimes were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and photoluminescence spectroscopy, respectively. XRD indicates that the Ba5(VO4)3Cl:Eu3+,K+ phosphors are synthesized successfully via molten salt method. SEM image demonstrates that the obtained phosphors have hexagonal polyhedron morphology. The photoluminescence spectra reveal that the as-prepared phosphors exhibit a bright red emission under the excitation of blue or near ultraviolet light. The concentration quenching was also investigated, and the dipole–dipole interaction is responsible for the concentration quenching of fluorescence emission of Eu3+ ions in Ba5(VO4)3Cl phosphor. The present work suggests that the Ba5(VO4)3Cl:Eu3+,K+ phosphors would be a potential candidate for light emitting devices.