Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of Ba₇F₁₂Cl₂: Eu²⁺ used for X-ray imaging plate

The performance of X-ray imaging plate is highly related to the physicochemical properties of X-ray storage phosphors. Herein, Ba₇F₁₂Cl₂: Eu²⁺ phosphors were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal route by using BaCl₂, NaBF₄ and Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) as reactants and additive agent, respectively. The phase structure, morphology and luminescence property of the as-prepared Ba₇F₁₂Cl₂: Eu²⁺ phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersed spectrum (EDS), Raman spectrum and photoluminescence (PL) in detail. An assumptive formation process was proposed based on the investigation of influence of the reaction time, reaction temperature and the amount of EDTA on the products. The preliminary results demonstrated that the reaction temperature and the amount of EDTA played important roles on the phase and morphology of the product. The as-obtained Ba₇F₁₂Cl₂: Eu²⁺ phosphors exhibited intense emission under the excitation of UV light.