Synthesis of phosphorescent ceramic pigment BaAl1.7B0.3O4 doped with Eu2+ and Dy3+

The optimal formulation and processing conditions were investigated for the preparation of the phosphorescent ceramic pigment BaAl1.7B0.3O4 doped with Eu2+ and Dy3+ using the polymeric precursor method or Pechini method. The properties of the synthesized pigment were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, excitation by ultraviolet light, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and luminescence decay. The hexagonal barium aluminate phase BaAl2O4 could be identified in all doped compounds. The photoluminescence spectra analysis indicated that phosphorescence efficiency increased with higher Eu2+concentrations, and that the pigments emitted green light in the visible range of 430–500 nm corresponding to the 4f6–5d →4f7 of Eu2+ transition with curves of luminescence decay between 160 and 790 s. We conclude that these techniques and analyses are suitable to produce a high quality phosphorescent pigment suitable for use in the ceramic industry.