Optical spectroscopy of ZnSiF6•6H2O:Mn4+ red phosphor

We report on a method of synthesizing Mn4+-activated ZnSiF6 center dot 6H(2)O hydrate phosphor by the chemical reaction in a Teflon beaker. The structural and optical properties of ZnSiF6 center dot 6H(2)O:Mn4+ are investigated using x-ray diffraction measurement, photoluminescence (PL) analysis, PL excitation spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance measurement, and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The synthesized phosphor exhibits a series of sharp red emission peaks at similar to 630 nm, which is characteristic for Mn4+ ions. The luminescent study is focused on the thermal quenching phenomenon above similar to 300K and is found to be caused by thermal decomposition of the ZnSiF6 center dot 6H(2)O host. Degradation in the PL intensity under near-UV light illumination has also been observed to occur in this phosphor. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.