The new red luminescent Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+ phosphor powders synthesized via sol–gel route by microwave-assisted

A new red luminescent Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+ phosphor powders were synthesized via sol–gel route assisted by microwave irradiation in the reducing atmosphere. The phosphor powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The results reveal that the Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+ phosphor powders calcined above 1150 °C possessed a Sr3Al2O6 single cubic phase. The Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+ particles at 1100 °C showed primarily rod-like morphology. However, the particles at 1150 to 1200 °C showed flower-like and disperse morphology. The average flower-like crystallite sizes were between 0.5 and 3 μm. The Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+ powders exhibited a broad excitation band chiefly in visible range and a red abroad emission band of main peak at 612 nm under the excitation of 472 nm. Especially the Sr3Al2O6:Eu2+ powders prepared at 1200 °C exhibited the strongest luminescent intensity, which was due to the higher crystallinity and homogeneous flower-like particle morphology.