The impact of the synthesis conditions on SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu, Dy formation for a persistent afterglow

• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2016.06.112
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02T16:31:03Z
• Authors: Rocío Estefanía R...; Fernando Rubio-Ma...; Marcos Vinícius D...; Miguel Ángel Rodr...; Aida Serrano; Álvaro Muñoz-Noval; José Francisco Fe...
• Keywords: Molar ratio; Particle (ecology); Persistent luminescence

The design of phosphorescent materials, highly crystalline, with a submicron particle size is a challenge for industrial applications. Based on molten salt assisted process, the effects of salt/SrAl0 molar ratio on the phase evolution are studied. A significant influence of salt/SrAl0 molar ratio on synthesis and final properties has been observed. Moreover, the phase evolution has been explored as a function of treatment temperature. To remove the salt from the powder, the wash step is carried out with glycerin avoiding hydrolysis reaction due to the sensitivity of strontium aluminates to water. The salt/SrAl0 molar ratio of 3:1 and the thermal treatment at 1000 0C are preferred, avoiding extra wash step. Here, we have obtained highly crystalline SrAl0:Eu, Dy powder with a particle size =0.5 ≤m after a 2 h treatment at 1000 0C employing the molten salt approach. As a result, we believe that the general strategy described in this study opens the possibility of obtaining technologically relevant phosphors with enhanced properties, expanding their application range to radiation detection.<br/>The authors express their thanks to the MINECO (Spain) project MAT2013-480089-C04-1-P for their financial support. Dr. F. Rubio-Marcos is also indebted to MINECO and European Social Fund for a “Juan de la Cierva” contract (ref: JCI-2012-14521).<br/>