Investigation of Spectral Interactions between a SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ Phosphor and Nano-Scale TiO₂

Herein, we studied light induced interactions between two well-known luminescent materials, SrAl₂O_4:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ and nano-scale TiO₂ in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These two materials were chosen due to their stable nature, efficient spectral properties and more specifically, overlapping excitation/emission bands. When these materials were used together in 1:1 ratio by weight (w/w), the composite exhibited 76% enhancement in the emission intensity with respect to the individual phosphor. Although the luminescence mechanism of both materials is clarified in the literature, spectral interactions of them have not been studied up to now. In our opinion, the TiO₂ nano-particles (TiO₂ NPs) act as light-harvesting agents for the phosphor particles creating a substantial enhancement on the light absorption efficiency of the phosphor. Additionally, the TiO₂ nanoparticles suggest a promising way to boost the phosphorescent activity of the SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ by a cost-effective way and further investigation of the mechanism may be subject of future studies.