The effects of sintering method on crystalline morphology and photoluminescent properties of BaY₂ZnO₅:Tb³⁺

This paper describes the effects of microwave assisted sintering on the crystalline morphology and photoluminescent properties of BaY ₂ZnO₅ doped with 4 mol% Tb powder. For comparison, the properties of BaY₂ZnO₅:Tb powders sintered at 1250 °C in conventional furnace for 12 h were also investigated. X-ray powder diffraction analysis showed the enhanced crystallinity of orthorhombic BaY ₂ZnO₅ without second phase or phases of starting materials as BaY₂ZnO₅:Tb powders sintered at 1250 °C in microwave furnace for 1 h. In the PL studies, the emission spectra of BaY ₂ZnO₅:Tb powders excited at 237 nm exhibits a maximum peak assigned to ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition. In addition, the emission intensity of the prepared powder is slightly enhanced, compared to that sintered at 1250 °C/12 h in a conventional sintering furnace.