Photoluminescence and morphology of flux grown BAM phosphor using a novel synthesis method

Small Eu²⁺ doped barium magnesium aluminate (BAM : Eu) phosphor particles with a narrow size distribution were prepared using a flux-assisted liquid phase precursor (LPP) method. XRD showed that the crystallinity of BAM particles increased significantly with an increase in the boric acid concentration, as a flux, and the firing temperature. According to FESEM, the phosphor particles produced without the flux and fired at 1450 °C had a rod type morphology, 60-100 nm in diameter and 500700 nm in length. The morphology of the phosphor particles transformed from a rod to a hexagonal type with a concomitant increase in the particle size (from ∼1 to 2 μm) when 1, 2 and 5 wt% of boric acid was added. The photoluminescence intensity of phosphor particles was also influenced by the addition of the flux due to the enhanced particle size, crystallinity and activator ion distribution.