Citric gel synthesis and luminescent properties of Ce3+-activated SrGa2O4 phosphor

Ce3+-activated SrGa2O4 phosphor was synthesized by a method of citric gel, wherein citric acid served as a chelate agent, and the as-synthesized powder was calcined in a slightly reduced ambient. The crystallization characteristics of the sample varied with the calcining temperature. Compared with the phosphor prepared by the solid-state reaction, the phosphor synthesized by citric gel was calcined at a relatively lower temperature. Consequently, the volatilization of Ga2O3 during high-temperature calcining process was avoided. The typical double-peak emission of Ce3+ originated from D-2(5d)->(4) F-5/2(4f) and D-2(5d)->(4) F-7/2(4f) was observed, and the intrinsic emission of SrGa2O4 host was much restricted. The emission intensity varied with the calcining temperature because the different crystallinity and the optimal concentration of Ce-dopant was determined at 3%.