Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of a Cyan-blue Thiosilicate-based Phosphor

A series of Sr-Si-S compounds was synthesized using an advanced chemical method in which the use of one solution-based process uniformly dispersed the $Eu^{2+}$ activators in the host crystals, to find new compositions that would suit phosphor applications. Particular focus was given to the Si-rich region. This led to the synthesis of a single-phase compound that showed an unknown X-ray diffraction pattern. This compound had a composition close to that of $SrSi_2S_5$. When this compound is activated with $Eu^{2+}$ ($SrSi_2S_5:Eu^{2+}$), it shows a cyan-blue emission with a main luminescence peak at 495 nm. This emission is excited by wavelengths of 250-440 nm and has a maximum excitation at 350 nm.