Improving crystalline morphology and photoluminescent properties of BaY₂ZnO₅:Eu³⁺ phosphors prepared using microwave assisted sintering

This paper describes an investigation of the crystalline morphology and photoluminescent properties of BaY₂ZnO₅:Eu³⁺ powders using microwave assisted sintering. For comparison, the properties of BaY₂ZnO₅:Eu³⁺ powders prepared by a solid-state reaction in a conventional furnace were also investigated. The results showed that the formation time of the single phase for BaY_1.8Eu _0.2ZnO₅ powders sintered at 1250 °C in the microwave furnace is significantly reduced to 1 h, and the emission spectra of BaY _1.8Eu_0.2ZnO₅ powders excited at 395 nm exhibit a maximum peak assigned to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F ₂ transition. In addition, the emission intensity of the prepared powder is definitely enhanced, compared to that sintered at 1250 °C/10 h in a conventional sintering furnace.