Preparation and photoluminescence properties of red-emitting phosphor ZnAl2O4:Eu3+ with an intense D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition

A series of ZnAl2-xO4:xEu(3+) phosphors was synthesized by a modified co-precipitation method. The phase structure and photoluminescence properties were examined and extensively discussed. Composition-optimized ZnAl1.97O4:0.03Eu(3+) exhibited sharp, intense red characteristic emissions with the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates of (0.62, 0.33) peaking at 620 nm under an excitation at 394 nm, corresponding to the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition of Eu3+. The quenching concentration of Eu3+ in ZnAl2-xO4:xEu(3+) phosphors was approximately 0.03. In addition, the concentration quenching mechanism, fluorescence decay curves, and thermally stable luminescence properties of ZnAl2-xO4:xEu(3+) phosphors were investigated. The results indicated that ZnAl2-xO4: xEu(3+) phosphors demonstrate potential applications in near-ultraviolet light-emitting diode pumped white light lamps.