Abstract
Strontium aluminate with Eu2+ and Dy3+ has been at the forefront of emerging applications for storage phosphors since its discovery in 1996. In this study, the emission intensity and luminescence lifetime of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ were enhanced by partial substitution of Ca2+ into Sr2+ sites in the matrix. The most efficient host matrix, Sr0.9Ca0.1Al2O4, was further optimized for Eu2+ and Dy3+ dopant content, and the optimal Eu2+ to Dy3+ ratio was determined to be 6:1. The Sr0.83Ca0.1Al2O4:6 mol% Eu2+, 1 mol% Dy3+ phosphor was then synthesized with varying concentrations of H3BO3 flux; the most efficient phosphor was synthesized with 20 mol% H3BO3. Physical characteristics, such as crystal structure and surface morphology, were examined by XRD and SEM. Optical characteristics, such as emission and excitation bands and the luminescence lifetime of the materials, were examined by spectrofluorometry as well as direct imaging of the phosphors. In order to develop a colloidal nanoparticle ink solution, future work must be carried out to decrease the particle size of the phosphor and provide more detailed characterization of the final phosphor material.