Synthesis of CaTiO3:Pr persistent phosphors by a modified solid-state reaction

Using tetra-n-butyl titanate and calcium nitrate as raw materials, the praseodymium-doped calcium titanates have been synthesized via a modified solid-state reaction. The decomposition process of the precursor, crystallization, and particle sizes of CaTiO3:Pr have been investigated by using thermal analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TG-DTG curves and X-ray diffraction analysis indicate that crystalline calcium titanate has been synthesized at calcining temperature of 600 °C for 2 h. Photoluminescence and decay curves show that the sample obtained at the sintering temperature of 900 °C exhibited the optimal luminous property.