Combustion synthesis and luminescent properties of Eu3+-activated cheap red phosphors

Aqueous combustion synthesis has been successfully extended to prepare Eu3+-activated cost-effective and cheap red phosphors LnMAlO(4), where Ln = La or Y and M = Ca or Sr, having K2NiF4 structure. Thus, aqueous solution of corresponding metal nitrates, ammonium nitrate and urea with exact quantity calculated based upon O/F ratio have been heated at 525 degrees C. This process lasted for less than 5 min and led to the formation of voluminous white powder. These phosphors have been characterized by powder XRD, color under 254 run wavelength and luminescence. All the compounds are crystalline and these compounds exhibit red color under 254 nm radiation. Luminescence studies have been carried out on these cheap red phosphors. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.