On the Crystal Structure and Temperature Dependent Spectroscopy of the UV-C Emitting Phosphor Sr3(BO3)2:Pr3+,Na+

Highlights: • Novel UV emitting ortho-borate. • Excitation and emission spectroscopy on trivalent Praseodymium between 4 and 500 K. • Temperature dependence of [Xe]4f¹5 d¹.→ [Xe]4f² and [Xe]4f² → [Xe]4f¹5 d¹ transitions in Sr₃(BO₃)₂:Pr³⁺,Na⁺ • Room temperature X-ray excited luminescence of Sr₃(BO₃)₂:Pr³⁺,Na⁺. • Structure refinement of Sr₃(BO₃)₂ based on single crystal X-ray diffraction data. This work relates to the synthesis, structural, and spectroscopic characterization of praseodymium and sodium co-doped Sr₃(BO₃)₂. This material was evaluated concerning its suitability as a photo- or radioluminescent UV-C emitting compound. Beyond recording the photoluminescence and radioluminescence, diffuse reflectance and temperature dependent spectra were recorded. Furthermore, the structure refinement based on single crystal X-ray diffraction data as well as morphologic studies by using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering methods were performed.