Influence of boric acid on properties of Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphors

Purpose ‐ The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of boric acid as a flux on the formation of the akermanite phase and optical properties of SrMgSi2O7:Eu,Dy phosphors. Design/methodology/approach ‐ The silicate-based phosphor is prepared by sol-gel method. Sr(NO3)2, Mg(NO3)2?·?6H2O, Dy2O3, Eu2O3, are added to distilled water in their stoichiometric ratio, the obtained solution are mixed with H3BO3 (in the range of 0.01-0.5?mol%) and a polymeric compound TESO (C8H2O4Si). At the end, the phase composition and optical properties are investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and spectrophotometer analysis, respectively. Findings ‐ The XRD results showed that the akermanite (Sr2MgSi2O7) is the only crystalline phase which is detected in the sample containing 0.05?mol% boric acid. Increasing of boric acid does not have a great effect on the XRD patterns intensity. Spectrophotometer analysis results show three maximum at 365, 395 and 430?nm on the excitation spectra. It also shows intensity of the excitation and emission spectra increased by adding boric acid up to 0.25?mol% and a sudden drop at 0.5?mol% boric acid. Originality/value ‐ Using boric acid as a flux, enhances formation of akermanite phase at lower temperature with desirable optical properties and a cost-benefit way for industrial production. In this research, optimum value of boric acid was determined using XRD data, emission and excitation spectra.