Investigation of Spectral Interactions between a SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ Phosphor and Nano-Scale TiO2.

Herein, we studied light induced interactions between two well-known luminescent materials, SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ and nano-scale TiO2 in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These two materials were chosen due to their stable nature, efficient spectral properties and more specifically, overlapping excitation/emission bands. When these materials were used together in 1:1 ratio by weight (w/w), the composite exhibited 76% enhancement in the emission intensity with respect to the individual phosphor. Although the luminescence mechanism of both materials is clarified in the literature, spectral interactions of them have not been studied up to now. In our opinion, the TiO2 nano-particles (TiO2 NPs) act as light-harvesting agents for the phosphor particles creating a substantial enhancement on the light absorption efficiency of the phosphor. Additionally, the TiO2 nanoparticles suggest a promising way to boost the phosphorescent activity of the SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ by a cost-effective way and further investigation of the mechanism may be subject of future studies.