Effect of manganese concentration on photoluminescence properties of Zn2SiO4:Mn nanophosphor material

•β-Zn2SiO4 yellow nanophosphors were synthesized by sol–gel process.•Structural and optical characterizations were investigated.•XRD confirms the single triclinic phase of β-Zn2SiO4:Mn.•The β-Zn2SiO4 nanophosphors exhibit a nanometric size.•Strong PL bands appeared where the properties depend on Mn content.

Nanophosphor β-Zn2SiO4:Mn with bright yellow light emission were synthesized by a sol–gel process. These samples were prepared by a simple solid-phase reaction under natural atmosphere at 1500 °C after the incorporation of ZnO:Mn nanoparticles, in silica monolith. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the phase purity, particle size and morphology. In addition photoluminescence (PL) was used for optical study. The PL spectrum for the β-Zn2SiO4:Mn nanophosphors showed a dominant peak at 574 nm, which originated from the 4T1 → 6A1 transitions of Mn2+ ions. The level of manganese doping did not greatly affect the crystallinity, but did affect the luminescence of nanophosphors. Upon 255 nm excitation, the luminescence decay time of the yellow emission of β-Zn2SiO4 with a Mn doping concentration of 2 at.% around 574 nm is 13 ms. The characteristics of crystallinity, morphology and luminescence property of the obtained nanophosphors were investigated.

Graphical abstract(a): TEM photograph of the undoped sample, (b): TEM photograph of 2 at.% Mn doped sample, (c): EDX analysis of 2 at.% Mn doped sample and (d): PL spectra.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide