Synthesis of luminescent yttrium silicate materials by the sol-gel method

• Published in: Glass and ceramics 1996, Vol.53 (11), p.340-343
• Main Authors: Arkhipov, D. V., Vasina, O. Yu, Popovich, N. V., Galaktionov, S. S., Soshchin, N. P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0361-7610; 1573-8515
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01130919

The sol-gel method is shown to be useful for obtaining luminescent yttrium silicate-based materials with performance characteristics superior to commercial materials. The effect of the phase composition of sol-gel luminophors on the spectral luminescence parameters was analysed. A way of preparing materials with controlled grain size distribution is proposed. Maximum luminescence was obtained from the stoichiometric crystalline phosphor free of the minor phases Y2O3, SiO2, and Y2Si2O7. The sol-gel method makes it possible to produce such a luminophor using a minimum of energy required for heat treatment (1150-1200 C for 0.5-1 h). A further increase in the luminescence intensity can be achieved by introducing 4-5% of a lithium additive (based on Li2O) in the starting solution. The gain in brightness is 150-160% as compared with the commercial KS-425-1 crystalline phosphor. Optimisation of the gel grinding and annealing stages will make it possible to obtain fine-grained luminophors with improved performance characteristics. 9 refs.