Preliminary observation of self-reduction of Eu ions in α-Ca3(PO4)2 phosphors prepared in air condition

A series of Eu doped α-Ca3(PO4)2 phosphors were synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction in air atmosphere. The crystal structures, photoluminescence properties of the phosphors were systematically studied. The emission spectra showed a broad emission band centered at 492 nm attributed to the typical 4f65d1→4f7 transition of Eu2+ions, and several sharp peaks from 560 to 750 nm attributed to the 5D0→7FJ(J=0,1,2,3,4) transition of Eu3+ions. The results, combined with the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, demonstrate self-reduction of Eu3+to Eu2+occurred in α-Ca3(PO4)2 matrix for the first time. This suggested that the Eu2+ions in α-Ca3(PO4)2could serve as a spectroscopic probe to detect the content of α-Ca3(PO4)2in phase transition process.