Synthesis and luminescent properties of image phosphor Original Research Article

Superfine BaGd2O4:Eu3+BaGd2O4:Eu3+ phosphors were synthesized by EDTA sol–gel method at relatively low temperature using metal nitrate and EDTA as starting materials. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the formation of BaGd2O4:Eu3+BaGd2O4:Eu3+. The superfine powder of BaGd2O4:Eu3+BaGd2O4:Eu3+ has an elliptical shape and an average diameter of about 200–400 nm. Compared with the traditional solid-state method, this new method has the advantages of a relatively low calcination temperature, short calcination time, small particle size and narrow particle size distribution. Upon excitation with 254 nm UV light, all the powder samples of View the MathML sourceBaGd2(1-x)O4:Eu2x3+ show bright red emission due to the 4f–4f4f–4f transitions of Eu3+Eu3+ ions, and the highest photoluminescence intensity at 609 nm was found at a content of about 6 mol% Eu3+Eu3+. Splitting of the View the MathML sourceD05–F07 and View the MathML sourceD05–F17 emission transitions revealed that the Eu3+Eu3+ ions occupied different surroundings.