Preparation and characterizations of Zn2SiO4:Mn green phosphors

Zn2-xMnxSiO4 green phosphors were prepared with a new solution reaction method and compared with the ones prepared with the conventional solid-state reaction method. Photoluminescent and crystalline properties were examined as functions of the firing temperatures and the manganese (Mn) concentrations. The zinc silicate Zn2-xMnxSiO4 crystalline structures were obtained at 1400 degreesC and at 1100 degreesC for the samples prepared with the solid-state reaction and the solution reaction method, respectively. The maximum emission intensity of Zn2-xMnxSiO4 phosphors under vacuum ultra violet (VUV) excitation occurred at the Mn concentration Of x=0.02. The solution-reacted phosphors were composed of small round-shaped grains which were about 0.5-1.0 mum in size, whereas, the solid-state reacted phosphors were composed of rectangular-shaped grains which were relatively large, 1-2 mum. The decay time was about 6-9 ms for both Zn2-xMnxSiO4 phosphor samples at x = 0.12. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.