Combusion synthesis, structural and photo-physical characteristics of Eu2+ and Dy3+ co-doped SrAl2O4 phosphor nanopowders

In this research, we reported the synthesis of Eu2+ and Dy3+ co-doped SrAl2O4 phosphor nanopowders with high brightness and long afterglow by urea-nitrate solution combustion synthesis (SCS) at 600 °C, followed by heating the resultant combustion ash at 1,200 °C in a weak reductive atmosphere (5% H2 + 95% N2). The broad-band UV-excited luminescence of the SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ nanopowders was observed at λmax = 517 nm due to transitions from the 4f65d1 to the 4f7 configuration of the emission center (Eu2+ ions). The excitation spectra consist of 240- and 254 nm broad peaks. Finally, it was found that the optimum ratio of urea is 2.5 times higher than theoretical quantities for the best emission condition of SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor nanopowders.