Synthesis and phosphorescence properties of Mn4+, La3+ and Ho3+ in MgAl2Si2O8

Mn4+, La3+ and Ho3+ doped MgAl2Si2O8-based phosphors were first synthesized by solid state reaction. They were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phosphors were obtained at about 1300 °C. They showed broad red and fuchsia-pink emission bands in the range of 610–715 nm and had a different maximum intensity when activated by UV illumination. Such a fuchsia-pink emission can be attributed to the intrinsic d–d transitions of Mn4+.

► The new red phosphors were synthesized in the MgAl2Si2O3 system.
► These systems were characterizated with DTA/TG, XRD, SEM and PL.
► The excitation and emission mechanisms were explained.