Hydrothermal synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu2+-doped BaSiF6 microrods

•Eu2+ doped BaSiF6 microrods were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process.•The strongest line peak position of the samples located at 359 nm precisely.•The optimal doping concentration of Eu2+ ions was confirmed to be about 15 mol%.•The BaSiF6:Eu2+ could be used for sensing, solid-state lasers and spectral calibration materials.

Eu2+-doped BaSiF6 microrods with average diameter of 200 nm, and length of 1–4 μm were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. The crystal structure and morphology of final products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Upon the excitation of 257 nm UV light, the as-prepared samples exhibit strong and sharp line emission, which originates from the transitions within the 4f7 electron configuration of Eu2+ ions. The optimal doping concentration of Eu2+ ions in BaSiF6 matrix was confirmed to be about 15 mol%.