Low-temperature synthesis of nanosize Zn₂SiO₄:Mn ²⁺ phosphor from the precursor sol in supercritical ethanol and its photoluminescent properties

The solvothermal reaction in supercritical ethanol produces nanosize Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ from the precursor sol derived from the mixture of zinc acetate, manganese acetate and TEOS. Spherical primary particles of 10-20 nm were grown to the rod-like particles of 10-30 nm diameter and 200-350 nm length by increasing the aging temperature from 200 to 265°C and by optimizing the water/ethanol ratio of sol. This crystal growth improved the intensity of green emission due to the d-d transition of Mn²⁺ through energy transfer from Zn₂SiO₄, We discuss the process of Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ crystal growth during the solvothermal reaction in supercritical ethanol.