Improved photoluminescence of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇ blue phosphor prepared by spray pyrolysis

BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ (BAM) blue phosphor particles with improved photoluminescence (PL) intensity under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation were prepared by a spray pyrolysis process. In order to improve the PL intensity, Er³⁺ and Nd³⁺ ions were used as co-doping elements. The VUV characteristics of BAM:Eu ²⁺,M⁺ (M=Er, Nd) were monitored with varying the Er ³⁺ and Nd³⁺ content in order to find the optimal co-doping concentration when they were prepared by spray pyrolysis. It was found that doping Er³⁺ or Nd³⁺ enhances the PL intensity of BAM:Eu²⁺ blue phosphor particles. In particular, the M ³⁺ doping effect on the PL intensity was pronounced when the prepared BAM:Eu²⁺,M³⁺ particles were excited by 172nm VUV. The maximum intensity was obtained when the M³⁺ content was 1.0at% with respect to Ba element. The PL intensity of BAM:Eu²⁺,M ⁺ (M=Er³⁺, Nd³⁺) particles was also further improved by producing them in a spherical shape, which was successfully achieved by controlling the spray solution. The optimized BAM:Eu ²⁺,M⁺ particles had about 10% higher PL intensity than that of the commercial particles, which are made by a conventional solid-state reaction.