Synthesis and formation process of SrSO4:Sm3+ phosphors with hierarchical structures and its electron trapping luminescence properties

Novel three-dimensional (3D) flower-like Strontium sulfate (SrSO4) microstructures with hierarchical architecture were successfully fabricated by using Sr(NO3)2 react with Na2SO4 aqueous solution under ambient conditions at room temperature. The SrSO4 flower-like microcrystals have a uniform diameter of about 10 μm, which are composed of numerous well-aligned single tablet-like SrSO4 crystals oriented radially to their center. The growth mechanism of the flower-like hierarchical celestine particles is discussed to obtain a better understanding on their formation process. XRD patterns confirm the single crystal phase of SrSO4. In the photoluminescence property investigations of SrSO4:Sm3+, narrow bands observed are well identified with the electronic transition configurations of Sm3+. The temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra show that the temperature of maximum emission intensity is 25 °C. The thermal stability and electron trapping luminescence properties were also characterized.