Orange–red fluorescence features of SrAl2O4: Sm3+ phosphors

A series of SrAl 2 O 4 : [Formula: see text]Sm[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mol.%) nanophosphors were synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction method and characterized. The structural and morphological properties were analyzed through powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared, Fourier transform Raman, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies. The fluorescence features were examined through photoluminescence-excitation and emission studies. The investigated phosphor materials show intense orange–red fluorescence at 400 nm excitation. For intense and effective fluorescence, the Sm[Formula: see text] -doping concentration was optimized as 1.0 mol.%. The cross-relaxation mechanism responsible for fluorescence quenching beyond the optimum concentration was discussed. The color perception of emitted fluorescence was analyzed by evaluating Commission International de I’Eclairage (CIE) 1931 coordinates. The experimental results confirmed the candidature of orange–red emitting SrAl 2 O 4 : 1.0 Sm[Formula: see text] nanophosphor for various lighting applications.