| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1617832 | Journal of Alloys and Compounds | 2011 | 4 Pages |
The CaSc2O4:Ce3+ nano-phosphors were successfully prepared by a single-step combustion method at an ignition temperature as low as 200 °C in a closed autoclave using glycine as a fuel and PEG4000 as a dispersant. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results revealed that CaSc2O4:Ce3+ nano-phosphors can be conveniently prepared at an ignition temperature as low as 200 °C, which was much lower than that in the ordinary combustion methods. The optimized ignition temperature was 220 °C. The CaSc2O4:Ce3+ nano-phosphors give a uniform particle size in the range of 15–20 nm. The low ignition temperature and the addition of PEG4000 dispersant play important roles in the formation of small sized nanoparticles. The as-prepared nano-phosphors were incompact aggregates, but highly dispersed nano-phosphors can be obtained after further ultrasonic treatment. The CaSc2O4:Ce3+ nano-phosphors give satisfactory luminescence characteristic benefiting from the closed circumstance, in which cerium atoms can be isolated from the oxidizing atmosphere and non-fluorescent Ce4+ ions can be ruled out. The present highly dispersed CaSc2O4:Ce3+ nano-phosphors with efficient fluorescence are promising in the field of biological labeling, and the present low temperature combustion method is facile and convenient and can be applied as a universal process for preparing non-aggregate oxide nano-phosphors, especially those being sensitive to air at high temperature.
► CaSc2O4:Ce3+ nano-phosphors can be prepared by a single-step combustion method. ► The ignition temperature is the lowest in the combustion synthesis of Ce3+/Eu2+ doped phosphors. ► The as-prepared nano-phosphors give a uniform particle size in the range of 15–20 nm and have highly dispersity and fluorescence intensity. ► It is a convenient method for preparation of monodispersed oxide nano-phosphors, especially those being sensitive to air at high temperature.
