Synthesis and characterization of Ba3Si6O12N2:Eu(2+) phosphor

Eu(2+)-doped Ba3Si6O12N2 phosphors were prepared successfully via a modified solid-state diffusion method. The phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence measurements. These phosphors were effectively excited at 355 nm and an intense emission peaking in the range 480 nm to 525 nm in the blue region was observed. The optimized dopant concentration was determined to be 1 mol% of Eu(2+) ion. The colour coordinates for phosphor were found to be (0.196, 0.326) in the blue region. This phosphor may find application for near-ultraviolet (NUV) excited lamp phosphors. The thermoluminescence study shows the complex glow curve. Trapping parameters (activation energy and frequency factor) were calculated for individual deconvoluted peaks by Chen's peak shape method, the initial rise method and the whole glow peak method.