EPR and photoluminescence properties of combustion-synthesized ZnAl2O4:Cr3+ phosphors

An efficient red emitting ZnAl2O4:Cr3+ powder phosphor material was prepared at furnace temperatures as low as 500 °C by using the combustion method. The prepared powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The optical properties were studied using photoluminescence technique. The EPR spectra exhibit an intense resonance signal at g = 3.74 which is attributed to Cr3+–Cr3+ pairs, and the weak resonance signal of at g = 1.97 is attributed to Cr3+ single ion transition. The spin population (N) has been evaluated as a function of temperature. The excitation spectrum exhibits two broad bands in the visible region which are characteristic of Cr3+ ions in octahedral symmetry and the emission spectrum exhibits zero-phonon line frequencies along with vibronic frequencies. The crystal field parameter (Dq) and Racah parameters (B and C) have been evaluated and discussed.