A red luminescence nanocrystallite of Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+:: New morphology and luminescence properties

A red luminescent Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+ nanocrystallites with new morphology were synthesized by sol-gel route assisted by micro wave irradiation. The phosphor powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results reveal that the calcination temperature of the Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+ phosphor crystallites greatly affects its morphology. With temperature increasing, the phosphor crystallites morphology showed primarily from nanorod-like, mixture of nanorod and flower-like to homogeneous flower-like morphology. The effects of new morphology on luminescent properties of phosphors were investigated. Uniformly dispersed flower-like Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+ phosphor powders showed the strongest luminescent intensity and the longest afterglow time.