Preparation, microstructures and luminescence properties of transparent red-emitting Eu2Ca0.6(MoO4)3.6 suspension

Eu2Ca1−x(MoO4)4−x (x = 0, 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80, 1), non-concentration quenching phosphors with 100% of Eu3+ activator ion, were synthesized. Nano-sized phosphors were synthesized via a solvothermal reaction by using non-polar Ca-oleate, Eu-oleate and TOA–MoO4 complexes as surfactant complexes prepared through a phase-transfer method in a water-toluene bilayer system. Among the Eu2Ca1−x(MoO4)4−x, Eu2Ca0.6(MoO4)3.6 showed the strongest red emission at 615 nm due to the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of the Eu3+ ions. The mean size of the Eu2Ca0.6(MoO4)3.6 is ∼5 nm, which is sufficiently small to avoid light-scattering behavior. Thus, the Eu2Ca0.6(MoO4)3.6 nanophosphor can be used as a red-emitting material in transparent displays. •The non-concentration quenching phosphors Eu2Ca1-x(MoO4)4-x were examined.•Phase transfer and solvothermal methods were used for the nanophosphor.•A transparent suspension of Eu2Ca0.6(MoO4)3.6 nanophosphor was obtained.•The suspension can be used as a red-emitting material in transparent displays.