Er:SrF2 luminescent powders prepared by combustion synthesis

Combustion synthesis, a widely spread technique employed to produce low-cost high-yield oxide powders, was used to prepare fluoride powders for the first time. Surface morphology and structure of erbium (Er3+) doped strontium fluoride (SrF2) powders were investigated by scanning electronic microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray powder diffraction. Samples were prepared with and without aluminum (Al) and we observed that the presence of Al helps the powder to crystallize in a pure SrF2 single cubic phase. Luminescence spectral analysis was also performed and we observed that among the samples investigated the Er3+:SrF2 powder prepared with Al using glycine is the most efficient luminescence up-converter. The luminescence results concords with Raman data of the samples. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.