Mechanism of superior luminescent and high-efficiency photocatalytic properties of Eu-doped calcium aluminate by low-cost selfpropagating 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.