Synthesis of Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ by homogeneous precipitation using propylene glycol-modified silane

Examining the effects of temperature and pH on the hydrolysis of propylene glycol-modified silane (PGMS), which is miscible with water in any ratio, revealed that the hydrolysis progressed very slowly at pH < 4 and room temperature, but was accelerated at higher pH and/or temperature. This study is the first report of the successful synthesis by homogeneous precipitation of Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ phosphor by harnessing the solubility of PGMS in water and its controllable hydrolysis characteristics. Variation of the synthetic conditions showed that both the rate of pH increase and the pH at the time of heating the mixed solution of PGMS, Zn2+, and Mn2+ ions were the most important factors in obtaining the Zn2SiO4 phase. Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ synthesized by homogeneous precipitation exhibited a higher fluorescence intensity than that of samples synthesized using the traditional solid-state reaction method. This was probably because Mn2+, which is an activator, was dispersed more uniformly in the Zn2SiO4 host.