Synthesis and luminescent properties of Eu3+ activated SrWO4 nanocrystalline microspheres.

We synthesized the Eu3+ activated SrWO4 nanocrystalline microspheres by a simple and facile synthesis route. X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited a unique phase of SrWO4:Eu3+ scheelite structure with an average crystallite size of 58.9 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed the presence of absorption bands of WO4(2-) and polyethylene glycol. The optical properties were investigated by varying the Eu3+ ion concentration. Photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectra confirmed that these phosphors are able to be excited by UV, near UV, and visible wavelengths. PL emission spectra showed the bright-red emission due to the 5D0 --> 7F2 electric dipole transition from the sites of non-inversion symmetry. The optimal doping concentration of Eu3+ ions was found to be 7 mol%. Blending this phosphor with YAG:Ce3+ phosphors may compensate their lack of a red spectral component, which leads to a good natural white light for indoor illumination.