Silicate Phosphors from Sol-Gel Prescursors

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9900034SailorThis proposal is aimed at exploring the synthesis, chemistry and photophysics of a new class of silicate phosphor materials. The phosphors are unique in that no activator metals are needed to obtain efficient photoluminescence. Such materials may provide an alternative to existing phosphors that contain toxic heavy metal ions and as such pose a significant environmental hazard. The luminescent silicates that will be studied fall into two distinct classes depending on the alkoxysilane used in the synthesis. The first class are 'carboxysilicate' glasses that are stable at high temperatures. The second class are water-soluble 'aminosilicone' polymers that can be processed into a variety of shapes such as blocks, foams, and fibers. Both classes have high luminescence efficiency. These materials represent a new direction in silicon sol-gel chemistry and the aim of this proposal is to determine the structure, chemistry, and photophysics of the chromophore in these materials.%%%The discovery of efficient, environmentally benign phosphors for lighting, display, and specialty applications and the development of methods to synthesize polymeric silicones with interesting optical or electronic properties are of significant industrial interest as potential technologies.