Preparation and luminescent properties of Zn₂SiO ₄:Mn²⁺

Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ was synthesized via a dipping method. Stoichiometric high pure SiO₂ was put into the solution of zinc nitrate and manganese nitrate. The mixture was milled while being heated until the water was vaporized completely. The as-received mixture was added into the ethanol, and dispersed well, then the mixture was milled and heated to remove the ethanol thoroughly by evaporation. The precursor were dried for several hours at 60°C, and annealed in a reducing atmosphere of active carbon at 1000°C for 4 h. As-prepared powders of Zn₂SiO ₄:Mn²⁺ was tested by XRD and SEM. Its luminescent properties were characterized by excitation and emission spectra. The results are compared with those of Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ prepared by a general solid state reaction.