Inorganic Chemistry, Vol.53, No.2, 827-834, 2014
Abnormal Reduction, Eu3+ -> Eu2+, and Defect Centers in Eu3+-Doped Pollucite, CsAlSi2O6, Prepared in an Oxidizing Atmosphere
Eu-doped pollucite CsAlSi2O6 was synthesized by the sol-gel method and heated in an air atmosphere. The crystal structure and the microstructure of the phosphors were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and SEM images, respectively. The photoluminescence spectra and temperature dependent decay curves were measured. An abnormal reduction phenomenon of Eu3+ -> Eu2+ was reported when Eu3+ ions were doped in alkaline metal cation sites in CsAlSi2O6 prepared in an oxidizing atmosphere. The abnormal mechanism was discussed on the basis of the charge compensation model and a rigid three-dimensional framework structure of CsAlSi2O6. The luminescence color centers were investigated by luminescence decay lifetimes and thermal stabilities of Eu2+ ions. The defect complexes of [(Eu-Cs(3+))(center dot center dot)-2V(Cs)'] or [(Eu-Cs(3+))(center dot center dot)-O-i"] induced by the substitution of Eu3+ on Cs+ were suggested in the lattices. Eu2+ ions could be regarded as Eu3+ ions combining with the released electrons from defects O-i" or V-Cs' in close vicinity of Eu3+ (Eu3+ + e); the electrons cannot enter the atom track of Eu2+ presenting luminescence of Eu2+ ions. The results indicate that several defect traps can be attributed to the abnormal reduction mechanism of Eu3+ to Eu2+ ions in a matrix.