Persistent UV phosphors for application in photo catalysis

Ce3+-doped strontium alumino-silicates (Sr1−vMv)1+yAl2−xBxSiyO4+3y (M:Ca,Mg,Ba) were prepared using solid-state reactions at 1200 °C for 2 h in a weakly reductive atmosphere of 5% H2-95% N2. The X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the products have a good crystallization, and the resultant phosphors show broad emissions centered at 400 nm, with a long-persistence of several minutes (k = 0.02–0.10 s−1). These luminescent properties are considered good enough for novel applications in photo catalysis, which will be the objective of further developments.