Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Eu2+-Doped Sr3MgSi2O8 Blue Light-Emitting Phosphor for Application in Near-Ultraviolet Excitable White Light-Emitting Diodes

In this study, [Sr0.99Eu0.01](3)MgSi2O8 phosphors were sintered at 1200-1400 degrees C for 1-5 h by using the solid-state reaction method. The crystallinity and morphology of these phosphors were characterized through X-ray diffraction analysis and field-emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively, to determine their luminescence. The photoluminescence properties, including the excitation and emission properties, of the prepared phosphors were investigated through fluorescence spectrophotometry. The alpha-Sr2SiO4, Sr2MgSi2O7, and Sr3MgSi2O8 phases coexisted in the [Sr0.99Eu0.01](3)MgSi2O8 phosphors, which were synthesized at low temperatures. The particles of these phosphors had many fine hairs on their surface and resembled Clavularia viridis, which is a coral species. Transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that the fine hairs contained the Sr2SiO4 and Sr2MgSi2O7 phases. However, when the [Sr0.99Eu0.01](3)MgSi2O8 phosphors were sintered at 1400 degrees C, the Sr3MgSi2O8 phase was observed, and the Eu2+-doped Sr3MgSi2O8 phase dominated the only broad emission band, which had a central wavelength of 457 nm (blue light). The emission peaks at this wavelength were attributed to the 4f(6)5d(1)-4f(7) transition at the Sr2+(I) site, where Sr2+ was substituted by Eu2+. The average decay time of the synthesized phosphors was calculated to be 1.197 ms. The aforementioned results indicate that [Sr0.99Eu0.01](3)MgSi2O8 can be used as a blue-emitting phosphor in ultraviolet-excited white light-emitting diodes.