Synthesis, characterization, photoluminescence and EPR investigations of Mn doped MgAl2O4 phosphors

MgAl2O4:Mn phosphors have been prepared at 500 °C by combustion route. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the presence of mono-MgAl2O4 phase. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the powder particle crystallites are mostly angular. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of AlO6 group which makes up the MgAl2O4 spinel. Photoluminescence studies showed green/red emission indicating that two independent luminescence channels in this phosphor. The green emission at 518 nm is due to 4T1 → 6A1 transition of Mn2+ ions. The emission at 650 nm is due to the charge-transfer deexcitation associated with the Mn ion. EPR spectrum exhibits allowed and forbidden hyperfine structure at g=2.003. The g≈2.00 is due to Mn2+ ion in an environment close to tetrahedral symmetry. It is observed that N and χ increase with decrease of temperature obeying the Boltzmann law. The variation of zero-field splitting parameter (D) with temperature is evaluated and discussed.