Synthesis and Luminescence of Ba2ScCl7

New results on luminescence in Ba 2 ScCl 7 are reported. Lanthanides Eu 2+ and Ce 3+ were chosen as activators. The phosphors could be prepared by a simple wet chemical method. Reduction of europium to the divalent form could be achieved at 400°C. Both activators exhibit strong photoluminescence (PL) originating in transitions from the lowest energy state of 4 f n – 1 5 d 1 configuration to the ground state of 4 f 7 /4 f 1 configuration. Simple preparation coupled with intense PL prompted us to suggest that these hitherto unexplored phosphors could be exploited for applications such as scintillator.