On the kinetics of thermal oxidation of the thermographic phosphor BaMgAL₁₀O₁₇:Eu

Decreased photoluminescence of the phosphor BaMgAL₁₀O₁₇:Eu due to oxidation of the europium dopant at high temperatures has been a subject of study for many years in relation to its use in lighting applications. However, understanding of the underlying effects that cause this reduction in photoluminescence remains incomplete and some of the mechanisms proposed in the literature are contradictory. Recent use of this phosphor as a thermal history sensor has extended the range of exposure conditions normally investigated in lighting applications to higher temperatures and multiple exposure times. The kinetics of the process were investigated by means of spectroscopy and material characterisation techniques. It was found that changes in the luminescence are the result of two simultaneous processes: the oxidation of Eu²⁺ ions (through a process of diffusion) and a phase transition. The level of degradation of the phosphor is suggested to follow the Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (KJMA) model above 900 °C and thus can be predicted with knowledge of the exposure time and temperature. This is useful in applications of the phosphor as a temperature sensor.