Phase evolution and photoluminescence behavior of MMoO4 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr) phosphors

Abstract

Self-activating MMoO4 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr) phosphors was successfully synthesized via a polyacrylamide gel method with citric acid used as a chelating agent. The phase evolution process, crystal structure, surface morphology, color and photoluminescent properties of MgMoO4, CaMoO4 and SrMoO4 phosphors have been systematically studied. X-ray powder diffraction and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the phase formation temperature of MMoO4 decreases with the increase of M ion radius. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated the flake (MgMoO4), spherical (CaMoO4) and spherical (SrMoO4) like morphologies. Photoluminescence spectra indicated the broad emission peak maximum at 524 (MgMoO4), 435 (CaMoO4), and 378 nm (SrMoO4) under 375, 284 and 217 nm excitation.