Effect of Eu3+ contents on the structure and properties of BaLa2ZnO5:Eu3+ phosphors

A series of Eu3+ doped BaLa2ZnO5 was prepared by a Pechini-type sol–gel method. The effect of Eu3+ concentration on the structure and the luminescent properties of the samples BaLa2−xEuxZnO5 were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The sample adopts the tetragonal or orthorhombic structure as the Eu3+ concentration reaches below 1.2 or over 1.6, respectively. The sample is a mixture of tetragonal and orthorhombic phases as the contents of dopants lie between 1.2 and 1.6. The phosphor offers the strongest red light as content of Eu3+ is 0.4. In addition, the crystallization processes of the complex precursors were examined by simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), and also the optimal heating temperature was investigated.

Research highlights
► Red emitting phosphor BaLa2ZnO5:Eu3+ was prepared by a Pechini-type sol–gel method.
► The sample BaLa2−xEuxZnO5 adopts the tetragonal or orthorhombic structures as the Eu3+ concentration is below 1.2 or over 1.6, respectively.
► Optimal heating temperature and concentration are determined.