Synthesis of Sr2CeO4: Eu-3 by citrate-gel method and its luminescence properties

A novel phosphor Sr2CeO4 was synthesized by the citrate-gel method. The results of XRD show that the temperature at which the crystallization starting is lowered and the soak time for complete crystallization is decreased. The values of pH of the precursor and the ratio( R) between the citrate and cation ions have an effect on the crystallization process. The host can transfer its exciting energy to rare earth ion Eu3+. The doped compound emits strong white light when the concentration of the doped Eu3+ is low. When that of Eu3+ is increased, it emits strong red light. The fluorescence from the higher excited states can be observed because the multiphonon relaxation probability between Eu3+ ions is low.