A modified synthesis of La 2 BaZnO 5 phosphors activated with rare earths Eu 3+ , Tb 3+ , Pr 3+ and Sm 3+ , and ns 2 ion Bi 3+ is reported. RE 2 BaZnO 5 compounds are conventionally prepared by two step solid state reaction. In the first step, carbonates or similar precursors are intimately mixed and heated at 900 °C to decompose the precursors to oxides. To eliminate the unwanted phases like BaRE 2 O 4 , the resulting powders are reheated at 1100 °C for long time. We prepared La 2 BaZnO 5 phosphors activated with various activators by replacing the first step by combustion synthesis. Results on photoluminescence are presented. PL results on Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ are in good agreement with the literature reports. PL emission from Sm 3+ , Pr 3+ and Bi 3+ had not been reported earlier. Excitation spectrum of Eu 3+ is dominated by a charge transfer band around 318 nm, while for the other rare earths a band at 240 nm is always present. This is attributed to the host absorption.
