Blue Emitting BaAl 2 O 4 :Ce 3+ Nanophosphors with High Color Purity and Brightness for White LEDs.

In this work, strongly blue emitting Ce3+-activated BaAl2O4 nanophosphors were successfully synthesized by a sol-gel technique. The crystal structure, morphology, and microstructure of the nanophosphors have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The photoluminescence spectra show the impact of concentration variation of Ce3+ on the photoluminescence emission of the phosphor. These nanophosphors display intense blue emission peaking at 422 nm generated by the Ce3+ 5d -> 4f transition under 350 nm excitation. Our results reveal that this nanophosphor has the capability to take part in the emergent domain of solid-state lighting and field-emission display devices.