One-step synthesis and photoluminescence of doped strontium titanate particles with controlled morphology

Particles of a red phosphor, Pr3+, Al3+-doped strontium titanate (SrTiO3:Pr3+, Al3+), were successfully synthesized by one-step spray pyrolysis. Submicron-sized particles with high crystallinity and high photoluminescence (PL) emission intensity were easily obtainable without post-annealing treatment. The effects of synthesis temperature and the composition and concentration of starting precursor on the physical properties of particles, such as crystallinity and PL, were investigated. An attractive evolution of particle morphology can be created by additional Al3+ ions in the precursor. PL intensity of phosphor particles was dependent on the concentration and composition of the precursor and improved with increasing synthesis temperature up to 1550 °C. The effect of the addition of LiNO3 as a flux in the precursor on the photoluminescence properties of the product is also discussed.