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 2D(5d)→4F5/2(4f), and 2D(5d)→4F7/2(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%.