Alkaline earth fluoride and Eu3+ doped thin films obtained by electrochemical processing

In this study, alkaline earth fluorides (MF 2 ) and MF 2 :Eu 3+ doped (M = Mg, Ca, Sr) thin films were obtained by electrochemical processing. In order to figure out the optimized deposition conditions, several experiments were performed within specific electrodeposition potential ranges for each MF 2 system. Results on the morphology, chemical composition, structural, and optical properties of MF 2 and MF 2 :Eu 3+ doped thin films are presented in this work. All samples were subjected to a thermal annealing process at 550 °C for 2 h in an N 2 atmosphere to improve the samples’ crystallinity and to promote an increase in the photoluminescence response in MF 2 :Eu 3+ (16.66 mol %) thin films. Photoluminescence studies were performed by using an excitation wavelength of 280 nm, and the CIE chromaticity diagram for MF 2 :Eu 3+ (16.66 mol %) exhibits the expected red-light emission.