Preparation and luminescent properties of Cr3+:Al2O3 nano-powders by low-temperature combustion synthesis

Cr3+:Al2O3 nano-powders were prepared through low-temperature combustion synthesis (LCS) method by using glucose as a dispersion agent for the first time. The Cr3+:Al2O3 nano-powders samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and luminescence spectrometer. XRD results showed that pure α-Al2O3 phase was obtained for the sample fired at 1100 °C for 0.5 h. TEM results indicated that nano-powders were well dispersed. Luminescence spectrum analysis results indicated that the excitation spectrum of Cr3+:Al2O3 nano-powders consisted of two bands peaking at 462 nm and 579 nm, respectively, and the emission spectrum consisted of two bands peaking at 692 nm and 668 nm, respectively.