Synthesis, characterization, and luminescence studies of rare-earth-activated NaMgF₃

NaMgF₃ -based phosphors have been described frequently in the literature. Their synthesis faces difficulties typical of fluoride materials. A simple precipitation synthesis for NaMgF₃ -based phosphors is described in this paper. This consisted of mixing aq. NaF and MgCl₂ /MgSO₄ solutions. Various activators could be incorporated by adding the required salts during this process. Characteristic emission of the activators was observed in the prepared phosphors. As-prepared samples exhibited predominantly trivalent lanthanide emission. After thermal treatment in a reductive atmosphere, europium-doped samples showed the intense emission of Eu²⁺ . By virtue of the intense nature of the emission, lifetime measurements could be made for this sample. Notably, intense thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence were observed in NaMgF₃ :Eu. A simple, fast method for the synthesis of NaMgF₃ was therefore developed.