Solid state synthesis and luminescent properties of bright blue-emitting Ba2P2O7:Eu2+ phosphor

Abstract

Eu2+-activated Ba2P2O7 pyrophosphates were successfully synthesized by the solid-state reaction under reduced atmosphere and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared (IR)/Raman spectroscopy. The luminescence properties of Ba2−xP2O7: xEu2+ (x = 0.01, 0.05) phosphors were investigated in ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) regions. Under 131 or 320 nm excitation, the phosphors exhibit a blue emitting band ranging from 350 to 500 nm, which is provided corresponding to the 5d–4f transition of Eu2+. The as-synthesized phosphors present good thermal luminescence stability on temperature quenching and high color purity with the CIE coordinate (0.172, 0.031) for Ba2P2O7:1%Eu2+ phosphor. These results suggest that the Ba2P2O7:Eu2+ pyrophosphate might be a promising blue-emitting phosphor for near ultraviolet (n-UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs).