Combustion synthesis and luminescent properties of CaTiO3: Pr, Al persistent phosphors

Using urea as fuel and boric acid as flux material, red persistent phosphors CaTiO3: Pr, Al have been successfully synthesized by combustion method. The process lasted for less than 5 min and led to the formation of voluminous white powder. The photoluminescence, crystallinity and particle morphology of persistent phosphors were investigated by using luminescence spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The results showed that the boric acid was effective in improving the photoluminescence intensity of CaTiO3: Pr, Al phosphor particles and the optimum molar ratio of boric acid to calcium nitrate was about 0.4. The luminescent properties and crystallinity of phosphors increased with increasing initiating temperature.