Effect of Mg substitution on photoluminescence of MgxCa1−xAl2O4: Eu2+, Nd3+

Rare earth ion-doped calcium aluminate (CaAl2O4) is an efficient blue phosphor. The compositions in the series MgxCa1−xAl2O4: Eu2+, Nd3+ (x=0.05–0.25) codoped with 1 mol% Eu and 3 mol% Nd were prepared by the solid state synthesis method. Crystalline phase, morphology and structural details were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Effect of Mg substitution on structure and photoluminescence characteristics was investigated. Photoluminescence characteristics show the intense emission for MgCaAl2O4: Eu2+, Nd3+ in the blue region (λmax=440 nm) with long persistence. The blue emission corresponds to transitions from 4f6 5d1 to 4f7 of Eu2+ ion.