Luminescence and electronic properties of Ba2MgSi2O7:Eu2+: a combined experimental and hybrid density functional theory study

Abstract

Photoluminescence properties of Ba₂MgSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺ synthesized by a solid-state reaction method are first investigated in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) to visible (vis) excitation energy range. The band gap of the host is found to be around 7.44 eV. The incorporation of Eu²⁺ leads to bright green luminescence with weak thermal quenching above room temperature. Cathodoluminescence (CL) properties under low-voltage excitations are then studied, and the results suggest a potential application of the compound in field emission displays (FEDs). Electronic properties of the compound are finally calculated by a hybrid density functional theory (DFT) method, and are discussed in association with observed luminescence properties.