Synthesis and luminescent property of Sr2CeO4 phosphor via EDTA-complexing process

Abstract A blue-white emitting Sr 2 CeO 4 phosphor with orthorhombic structure was synthesized via a simple ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-complexing process using strontium nitrate and cerous nitrate as raw materials at a relatively low temperature. The crystalline phase, microstructure and morphology of the resulting particles were studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra and transmission electron microscopy. The obtained Sr 2 CeO 4 powders consisted of uniform crotch-like grains with size of ca. 100 nm. The interplanar distance of d 111 was 0.297 nm. Photoluminescence studies at room temperature showed strong luminescent behavior for the superfine particles. Two excitation bands were located at ∼280 and ∼345 nm, respectively. The intensity of the latter excitation band exceeded that of the former while the precursors were calcined at 1000 °C. The emission spectrum was a broad band at 472 nm, which was suitable for the doping of rare earth ions.