Preparation and photoluminescence properties of Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+ phosphors synthesized via the microemulsion route

Strontium aluminate phosphors doped with europium ions (Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+) were successfully synthesized via the microemulsion route. In comparison with the traditional solid-state reaction process, the calcination temperature of Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+ phase in this study was lowered to 1,100 °C when the flux was added. In addition, the particle size of Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+ phosphors prepared via the microemulsion route was greatly reduced to 50 nm. The lowered synthesis temperature and reduced particle size are attributed to nano-scaled micelles formed in the microemulsion system. The emission and excitation intensity of Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+ phosphors were increased with an increase in the synthesis temperature. In addition, the rise in the calcination temperature lowered the afterglow characteristics of Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+ phosphors. The microemulsion route was demonstrated to be an more effective process than the solid-state reaction process for preparing Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+ phosphors.