Sol–gel synthesis of red-emitting [Na0.6La0.8−xEux]2(MoO4)3 phosphors and improvement of its luminescent properties by the co-doping method

•Sol–gel synthesis of red-emitting [Na0.6La0.8−xEux]2(MoO4)3 phosphors.•The size of particles about 1 μm.•Maximum emission in the range of 614 nm–622 nm.•Al3+ or Zn2+ ions doped can improve obviously its luminescent properties.

In this work, we report on sol–gel synthesis of red-emitting [Na0.6La0.8−x−Eux]2(MoO4)3 (x=0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, and 0.12) and their luminescent properties at room temperature. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that red-emitting [Na0.6La0.74Eu0.06]2(MoO4)3 powders present two types of tetragonal symmetry structures. The SEM images for the phosphor exhibit irregular morphology and cotton-like shape. The size of the particles is estimated to be about 1 μm. It is shown that the maximum emission in the red region lies at 614 nm and 622 nm and the luminescent properties of the phosphor can be improved obviously by doping ions, especially Al3+ ions and Zn2+ ions. The phosphors exhibit characteristic of a ultraviolet visible-light emission diode.

Graphical abstractThe SEM image of [Na0.6La0.72Eu0.08]2(MoO4)3.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide