Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 October 2009
A novel red phosphor Ba2ZnSi2O7:Eu3+ has been synthesized by sol-gel method. The crystallinity, particle size, morphology, chemical composition and luminescent properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy-dispersion spectrum (EDS) and spectrofluorometer, respectively. The results of thermogravimetric (TG) and XRD indicated that the Ba2ZnSi2O7:Eu3+ phosphors crystallized completely at 900 °C. The luminescent properties of phosphor showed red emission is obtained by exciting at 394 and 465 nm which are owing to the sharp 7F0 $\to$ 5L6 and 7F0 $\to$
5D2 lines of Eu3+. Two strongest lines at 394 and 465 nm in excitation spectra of the phosphor match well with the two popular emissions from near-ultraviolet (UV) and blue GaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs), so it could be used as red components for white LEDs.