Luminescence of Europium(III) and Manganese(II) in Barium and Zinc Orthosilicate

The aim of this work is to report on the luminescence properties of BaZnSiO 4 activated by Eu 3+ and Mn 2+ ions. Doped and undoped powder samples were prepared by solid-state reaction starting from oxides and carbonates or Ba 2 SiO 4:Eu 3+ and Zn 2 SiO 4:Mn 2+ precursors. X-ray diffraction powder data, IR vibrational, and UV−vis luminescence spectroscopies were carried out. Results showed that doped and undoped samples from both types of precursors have the same structure and crystallize with a superstructure of hexagonal kalsilite. Vibrational spectroscopy has confirmed the formation of a silicate group, which outlines differences between products and silicate precursors. The observed luminescence assigned to Eu 3+ and Mn 2+ transitions covered most parts of the visible spectrum, an important requirement for phosphors in fluorescent low-pressure mercury vapor lamps.