Broadening the excitation spectrum of BaMgAl10O17:Cr3+ using Eu2+ as a codopant

BAM:Eu is a very well known, commercial phosphor that is used for tricolor fluorescent lamps and plasma display panels. In recent years, Cr3+ doped BAM had been suggested as a phosphor for LED lamps for plant growth. However, excitation spectrum of Cr3+ is narrow. To overcome this problem, we have attempted co-doping by Eu2+. Eu2+ → Cr3+ energy transfer was observed in BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+,Cr3+ phosphor. The energy transfer was established by photoluminescence emission, excitation and lifetime measurements. Efficiency of the energy transfer is 40.2%. By virtue of this energy transfer, the excitation spectrum corresponding to Cr3+ emission covers a broad spectral region 340–430 nm. These phosphors were prepared by facile combustion synthesis which is a fast method. It is suggested that this phosphor will be useful for preparing LED lamps based on near ultraviolet, violet and blue chips.