Synthesis and photoluminescence of new phosphors M2(Mg, Zn)Si2O7:Mn2+ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba)

Abstract New phosphors M 2 (Mg, Zn)Si 2 O 7 :Mn 2+ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) were prepared by sol–gel process, and their luminescent properties in ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet region were investigated. The results showed that the (Ca, Sr, Ba) 2 MgSi 2 O 7 :Mn 2+ samples did not emit any visible light; the Sr 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 :Mn 2+ and Ca 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 :Mn 2+ samples showed green light. The Ba 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 :Mn 2+ sample mainly showed green light under 254 nm excitation and red light under 147 nm excitation. The different emission was due to the Mn 2+ ions occupied different sites, which were excited selectively. Among the three phosphors Sr 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 :Mn 2+ showed the highest green emission intensity, and its decay time was shorter than that of Zn 2 SiO 4 :Mn 2+ under 147 nm excitation.