SrAl4O7 : Eu2+ nanocrystals: synthesis and fluorescence properties

Divalent europium doped strontium di-aluminate (SrAl4O7 : Eu2+) nanocrystals have been synthesized using a facile sol–gel polymer thermolysis method. The photoluminescence characteristics of smaller particles (φ ∼ 15 nm) show a significant difference with respect to their bulk counterpart. In this nanocrystalline system, the electronic structure of the Eu2+ excited state seems to undergo considerable modification induced by the surface states involved in slow relaxation kinetics that mimic phosphorescence like features