Synthesis and optical properties of europium doped zinc silicate prepared using low cost solid state reaction method

This paper presents a study on synthesis and optical properties of Zn₂SiO₄:1 wt% Eu³⁺ at different heat treatments. The objective of the research is to synthesize Zn₂SiO₄:1 wt% Eu³⁺ phosphor by using low cost solid state reaction method with recycled waste bottle glasses as the silicate source. The X-ray diffraction results showed that the prepared Zn₂SiO₄:1 wt% Eu³⁺ phosphors have a sharp diffraction peak as the heat treatment temperatures were increased from 600 to 1000 °C. Furthermore, the morphology from the Field emission scanning electron microscope analysis were shown the formation of well crystalline samples with dense packed grains due to the increment of heat treatment temperatures. Fourier transform infrared spectra has confirmed the present elements in Zn₂SiO₄:1 wt% Eu³⁺ phosphors while the narrow width of Raman line spectra were observed at temperatures ranging from 700 to 1000 °C indicates good homogeneity and crystallinity of synthesized powders. In addition, the energy band gap of europium doped zinc silicate increased dramatically up to 3.62 eV at temperature of 1000 °C. Photoluminescence measurements has also exhibited the red emission corresponding to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ (600 nm) when viewed under blue excitation.