The effect of templates on the morphological and optical properties of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphors

Blue light emitting BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphors were prepared by solution combustion synthesis method using urea as a fuel. Water-soluble templates, β-cyclodextrin and thioglycerol were used for the synthesis process. The main aim of the present work is to study the effect of these templates on morphology and optical properties of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor. The inclusion of templates prevents agglomeration, hence improving crystallinity and photoluminescence emission intensity. β-cyclodextrin and thioglycerol modified the morphology of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor by transforming its multifaceted plate-like to rod-like morphology. It is observed that the addition of β-cyclodextrin and thioglycerol in the synthesis of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor not only increased the photoluminescence emission of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor but also enhanced the thermal stability of the BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor. Hence the use of β-cyclodextrin and thioglycerol was beneficial in improving the crystallinity, photoluminescence characteristics and the thermal stability of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor.