Preparation and luminescent properties of phosphor MGd2(MoO4)4: Eu3+ (M=Ca, Sr and Ba)

Intense red emitting phosphors MGd2(MoO4)4: Eu3+ (M=Ca, Sr and Ba) have been synthesized by the simple sol–gel technique. The formation processes and the phase impurity of phosphors are characterized by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and power X-ray diffraction (XRD). The narrower size distribution and the regular shape of the phosphor particles are also measured by Field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE-SEM). Photo-luminescent properties of the phosphors are performed at room temperature. Their excitation spectra present strong absorption at 395 nm near-UV light and 465 nm blue light, which match well with commercial LED chips. The phosphors exhibit satisfactory and excellent red light dominated by 616 nm and their photoluminescence intensity is about 3–4 times stronger than that of phosphor YAG under the 465 nm excitation. In addition, the optimal concentrations of Eu3+ for phosphors MGd2(MoO4)4 (M=Ca, Sr and Ba) have also been determined.