Mechanism of superior luminescent and high-efficiency photocatalytic properties of Eu-doped calcium aluminate by low-cost self-propagating combustion synthesis technique.

Eu-doped calcium aluminate was synthesized via the low-cost self-propagating combustion synthesis (SPCS) technique, whose phase constitutions were identified as Ca9Al6O18 and Ca3Al2O6. The Ca2+ ions in Ca9Al6O18 rather than Ca3Al2O6 phase were replaced by Eu3+ ions. The product exhibits the superior luminescent property and photocatalytic activity, which may find potential applications in the display devices and environment treatments.