Synthesis and luminescent properties of Mn2+ doped Zn2SiO4 phosphors by a hydrothermal method

Green light emitting Mn2+ doped Zn2SiO4 phosphor particles were synthesized by a seeded hydrothermal method at 230 degreesC for 2 h. The microstructure of phosphor crystals was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD results indicate that seeds play an important role in enhancing the nucleation and crystallization of Zn2SiO4 crystals. Green photoluminescence, whose peak is located at 522 nm, was observed from the hydrothermally synthesized phosphor particles under UV excitation. Cathodoluminescence (CL) efficiency was weak and increased with increasing applied voltage up to 0.30 lm W (1) at 10 kV. The weak CL efficiency is believed to be caused by the polymer adsorbate, used to control the particle size, on the Zn2SiO4 particle surface. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.