Microwave synthesis and characterization of new red long afterglow phosphor Sr3Al2O6: Eu

Nanoparticles of red long afterglow phosphor Sr3Al2O6: Eu2+ were prepared by microwave irradiation method at a power of 680 W and a processing time of 15 min. The phosphors nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fluorescence spectrophotometer techniques. The results reveal that the samples are composed of single Sr3Al2O6 phase. The resultant nanoparticles show small size (80-100 nm) and spherical shape. The excitation and emission spectra indicate that excitation broad band chiefly lies in visible range and the nanoparticles emit much strong light at 612 nm under around 473 nm excitation. And the long afterglow phosphorescence of Sr3Al2O6 doped with EU2+ was observed in the dark with naked eye after the removal of the excitation light. The effect of Eu2+ doping concentrations of the samples on the emission intensity is studied systematically Furthermore, the microwave method requires a very short heating-time and the energy consumption.