Enhanced photoluminescence intensity of blue-light-emitting BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor with Dy³⁺ co-doping

Eu²⁺-doped and Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺-co-doped BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇ phosphors were prepared by solution combustion synthesis technique. The main aim of this work is to study the effect of Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ co-doping on the morphological and optical properties of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇. The co-doping of Dy³⁺ ions could not produce any change in the morphology, but the photoluminescence emission intensity of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ increased nearly 36% with the addition of Dy³⁺ ions compared to BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor. The BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphor emitted good-quality blue light at wavelength 450 nm. The blue emission was originated from 4f⁶5d¹ → 4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺ ions, whereas Dy³⁺ ions were vital in creating traps. Thermoluminescence study was performed to calculate the activation energy of the traps formed and the order of kinetics. The inclusion of Dy³⁺ ions not only enhanced the photoluminescence intensity but also improved the thermal stability of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor. The results of the present work indicate that photoluminescence properties and thermal stability of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor can be enhanced by Dy³⁺ co-doping.