Operation by Eu luminescence in CaAl2O4:Eu2+ alloys by Zn substitution

Calcium aluminate, CaAl2O4:Eu2+ and its Zn2+ substituted variants with high brightness and long persistent luminescence were prepared by solid-state reaction method. The phosphor compositions with varying Zn2+ were investigated by powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), SEM, TEM and photoluminescence excitation and emission. Broad band UV excited luminescence of the CaAl2O4:Eu2+ was observed in the blue region (λmax = 440 nm) due to transitions from the 4f65d1 to the 4f7 configuration of the Eu2+ ion. The effect of Zn2+ concentration on the photoluminescence properties of these compositions was investigated. The decay time of the persistence indicated that the persistent luminescence phosphor has bright phosphorescence and maintains a long duration.