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 Ca₉A_l6O₁₈ and Ca₃Al₂O₆. The Ca²⁺ ions in Ca₉A_l6O₁₈ 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.