Spectral analysis of a novel Eu2+ activated SiO2–BaO glass ceramics phosphor under UV-LED excitation

A novel Eu2+ activated 60SiO2–40BaO (mol%) glass ceramics phosphor was prepared and the optical properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra confirmed the formation of Ba2Si3O8 nano-crystals in the glass matrix. The Eu2+ activated glass ceramics exhibited broad emission band centered at 518 nm due to the 4f65d1→4f7 transition of Eu2+. Compared with the glass, the emission intensity of Eu2+ activated glass ceramics was much stronger, and the peak wavelength shifted toward shorter wavelength. The photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra of the glass ceramics showed an overlap with the main emission region of an ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED). According to the photoluminescence (PL) spectra, the CIE chromaticity coordinates of the Eu2+ activated glass and glass ceramics were calculated. The results indicated that the Eu2+ activated glass ceramics containing Ba2Si3O8 nano-crystals can be used as a potential green emitting phosphor under UV-LED excitation.

Research Highlights
► A novel green-emitting Eu2+ activated Ba2Si3O8 glass ceramics phosphor was prepared.
► The XRD and Raman spectra confirmed the formation of Ba2Si3O8 nano-crystals.
► The Eu3+ ions were efficiently reduced to Eu2+ ions in glass ceramics.
► The photoluminescence intensity of the glass ceramics was enhanced significantly.
► The photoluminescence center of the glass ceramics shifted to shorter wavelength.