Effect of Ca2+ and Sr2+ alkaline earth ions on luminescence properties of BaAl12O19:Eu nanophosphor

Nanosized barium aluminate materials was doped by divalent cations (Ca2+, Sr2+) and Eu2+ having nominal compositions Ba1−xMxAl12O19:Eu (M=Ca and Sr) (x=0.1–0.5), were synthesized by the combustion method. These phosphors were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS) and photoluminescence measurement. The photoluminescence characterization showed the presence of Eu ion in divalent form which gave emission bands peaking at 444 nm for the 320 nm excitation (solid-state lighting excitation), while for 254 nm it gave the same emission wavelength of low intensity (1.5 times) compared to 320 nm excitation. It was also observed that alkaline earth metal (Ca2+ and Sr2+) dopants increase the intensity of Eu2+ ion in BaAl12O19 lattice, thus this phosphor may be useful for solid-state lighting.