Defect engineering towards anti-temperature quenching luminescence for application in light emitting diodes

Thermal quenching (TQ) that weakens luminescent intensity is crucial for the application value of a phosphor. Here, we report a series of color-tunable phosphors Na₂MgAl₁₀O₁₇:xEu²⁺ (NMA:xEu²⁺) from green to cyan. For optimized Eu²⁺ concentration of x = 0.15, its internal and external quantum efficiency can reach up to 86% and 43%, respectively. In addition, it is unexpected that NMA:0.15Eu²⁺ exhibits anti-temperature quenching (TQ) luminescence even up to 300 °C, which is due to the ability of the defect energy levels to counteract the usual loss of emission by TQ through EPR and TL spectral analysis. Then, a prototype w-LED lamp by using NMA:0.15Eu²⁺ cyan phosphor, CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺ red phosphor, and 380 nm LED chip is fabricated. This work not only reports a new phosphor with high efficiency and good thermal stability of luminescence, but also brings forward a defect engineering approach for enhancing the thermal quenching resistance of a phosphor.     

Zero-thermal-quenching of LiAl5O8: Eu2+, Mn2+ phosphors by energy transfer and defects engineering

The photoluminescence behavior of inorganic phosphors is generally influenced by thermal stability, which determines the luminescence efficiency of the corresponding devices. Here, a series of Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ co-doped LiAl₅O₈ blue-green-emitting phosphors with thermal robust are successfully fabricated. The concentration-dependent emission spectra and the decay curves of the as-obtained LiAl₅O₈: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ samples manifest the occurrence of the energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ ions via dipole-dipole interaction, and the corresponding emitted colors are gradually modulated from blue to green under the excitation of 310 nm. Moreover, the zero-thermal-quenching luminescence is observed when the operation temperature is up to 423 K, which is attributed to the energy release from the trapping centers to emitting centers (Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺) at high temperature. Furthermore, a warm white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) device with correlated color temperature of 5061 K, a color rendering index of 80.6 and long-term stability is fabricated by combining UV LED chip (λ_ex = 310 nm), as-obtained LiAl₅O₈: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphor, commercially available red phosphor and green phosphor. These results prove the potential application of the as-obtained LiAl₅O₈: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphor for UV-pumped WLEDs devices.     

Efficient,stable, broadband cyan-emitting Ca-substituted Ba9Lu2Si6O24:Eu2+ with multisite luminescence for NUV-wLEDs

In order to develop an efficient and stable broadband cyan phosphor for full spectrum white lighting emitting diodes (wLEDs), novel Ba₉Lu₂Si₆O₂₄:Eu²⁺, xCa²⁺ is designed and synthesized. Ca-substitution induces Eu²⁺ ions into Lu³⁺ crystallographic site, which achieve rare nonequivalent cation substitution of Eu²⁺. Effects of Ca-substitution on crystal structure of matrix and phosphor are investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and density functional thoery (DFT). Ba₉Lu₂Si₆O₂₄:Eu²⁺, xCa²⁺ can be effectively excited by with near-ultraviolet (NUV) and exhibit broadband cyan emission with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 119.7 nm at x = 0.2, due to the multisite luminescence centers. For the sample x = 0.2, the internal quantum efficiency is 92.61%, and the luminous intensity at 423 K remains 89% of that measured at room temperature. The rigid structure of [SiO4]-[LuO6]-[SiO4] doped with Eu2+ ion makes Ca-substituted samples exhibit excellent luminescence efficiency and thermal stability. Our work develops a significant strategy based on multisite cation regulation to explore NUV-excited broadband cyan phosphors for full spectrum wLEDs.     

High CRI white light-emitting phosphor-in-glass film for laser lighting applications by adding cyan phosphor BaSi2O2N2:Eu2+

PiGF (Phosphor-in-glass film) with high color rendering was successfully prepared at a low sintering temperature. The influence of sintering temperature, the mass ratio of glass and phosphor, and different fluorescent layers on the luminescence properties of PiGF was systematically studied. It is of note that the “cyan cavity” is significantly reduced due to the addition of “cyan phosphor” (BaSi₂O₂N₂:Eu²⁺). Under 455 nm blue light laser excitation, PiGF has the highest luminous efficiency of 94.55 lm/W and a white light composite PiGF with a correlated color temperature of 5500 K and a color rendering index of 95 can be obtained. In short, this work shows that the PiGF has great potential application in white light laser lighting.     

A novel narrow band blue-emitting phosphor Rb2ZrSi3O9: Eu2+ with low thermal quenching and high quantum efficiency

Developing phosphors with narrow band emission and excellent performance is the main goal of current leading research. In this study, a novel narrow band blue-emitting phosphor Rb₂ZrSi₃O₉: Eu²⁺ was prepared that can be fully excited by near ultraviolet (NUV) light, emits a bright blue light peak at 470 nm, and has a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 60 nm. The synthesized Rb₂ZrSi₃O₉: Eu²⁺ had excellent photoluminescence properties that were reflected in its good thermal stability (up to 82%) and high internal quantum efficiency (up to 75%). These remarkable luminescence properties were mainly ascribed to the highly symmetric and dense crystal structure composed of [Si₃O₉]^6- ring pairs. Multiple emission centers in the Rb₂ZrSi₃O₉: Eu²⁺ phosphor were confirmed through the photoluminescence (PL) spectra and time-resolved (PL) spectra. A bright warm WLED device with a low correlated color temperature (3386 K) and high color-rendering index (CRI~89.3) was produced by combining the blue phosphor with (Sr, Ba)₂SiO₄: Eu²⁺ and CaAlSiN₃: Eu²⁺ and NUV (380 nm). The results indicate that Rb₂ZrSi₃O₉: Eu²⁺ could be a promising phosphor for use in WLEDs.     

Phase Transformation in Ca3(PO4)2:Eu2+ via the Controlled Quenching and Increased Eu2+ Content: Identification of New Cyan‐Emitting α‐Ca3(PO4)2:Eu2+ Phosphor

A case of phosphor is reported where the cooling rate parameter significantly influences the luminescence property. By quenching the sample after the high‐temperature solid‐state reaction at 1250°C, we successfully prepared the Eu²⁺‐doped α form Ca₃(PO₄)₂ (α‐TCP:Eu²⁺) as a new kind of bright cyan‐emitting phosphor. The unusual emission color variation (from cyan to blue) depends on the cooling rate after sintering and Eu²⁺ doping level as it was observed in the TCP‐based phosphors. By the Rietveld analysis, it is revealed that the cyan‐ and blue‐emitting phosphors are two different TCP forms crystallizing in the monoclinic (space group P2₁/a, α‐TCP) and the rhombohedral structure (space group R3c, β‐TCP), respectively. Upon 365 nm UV light excitation, α‐TCP:Eu²⁺ exhibits an asymmetric broad‐band cyan emission peaking at 480 nm, while β‐TCP:Eu²⁺ displays a relatively narrow‐band blue emission peaking at 416 nm. The Eu²⁺‐doping in Ca₃(PO₄)₂ shifts the upper temperature limit of the stable structural range of β form from 1125°C to ≥1250°C. Moreover, the crystal structures of α/β‐TCP:Eu²⁺ were compared in the aspects of compactness and cation site sets. The emission thermal stability of α/β‐TCP:Eu²⁺ was comparatively characterized and the difference was related to the specific host structural features.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence of novel blue-emitting phosphor of Eu2+-activated fluoroborate BaGaBO3F2

Pure and Eu²⁺-activated fluoroborate BaGaBO₃F₂ was prepared using high-temperature solid-state reaction. BaGaBO₃F₂ is a wide band semiconductor with the indirect transition characteristic. The excitation and luminescence spectra of the phosphor were measured, and it was found that Eu²⁺-activated BaGaBO₃F₂ exhibits a bright blue color under ultraviolet (UV) light. The narrow emission band peaked at 425 nm is attributed to the transitions of 4f⁶5d→4f⁷(⁸S_7/2), and the Stokes shift estimated for this phosphor sample is 3140 cm⁻¹. The lifetime of the luminescence is also reported. The absolute quantum efficiency (QE) of the phosphor was evaluated, and it was found that the absolute QE decreases with increasing Eu²⁺ concentration. The phosphor shows an excellent quantum efficiency of 72.5% and a high thermal activation energy of 0.342 eV. The study concludes that Eu²⁺-doped BaGaBO₃F₂ phosphor has promising luminescence application abilities and can be used as a blue-emitting phosphor in a variety of applications.     

SrLaNaTeO6:Eu3+ red-emitting phosphors with high luminescence efficiency and high thermal stability for high CRI white LEDs

A novel single-phase trivalent europium activated red-emitting SrLaNaTeO₆ phosphor was first synthesized in a process of traditional high-temperature solid-state. The phase purity, morphology, and spectroscopy of the prepared phosphor were analyzed. Under 395 nm excitation, the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the SrLaNaTeO₆:Eu³⁺ products mainly contained five dominant sharp peaks. The intense red emission peak at 615 nm was the typical ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ electric dipole transition of Eu³⁺. The optimum product of high quenching concentration was the SrLaNaTeO₆:0.90Eu³⁺, which reached a high internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of 90.6%. The SrLaNaTeO₆:0.90Eu³⁺ was estimated to have R_c of 6.57 Å and possessed high color purity of 100.0%. The phosphors exhibited excellent thermal stability and high activation energy (E_a = 0.29 eV). The prepared white light-emitting diode (WLED) had a high color rendering index (CRI) R_a of 92 and a low correlated color temperature (CCT) of 5008 K. In conclusion, the phosphors have potential as red components for WLEDs.     

Ternary type BaY2ZnO5: Eu3+ deep-red phosphor for possible latent fingerprint,security ink and WLED applications

Pc-WLEDs are considered to play a spectacular role in future generation light sources in view of their outstanding energy efficiency. In this regard, Eu³⁺ activated BaY₂ZnO₅ phosphor was prepared and investigated by XRD, PL and SEM analyses. Rietveld refinement analysis was carried out to confirm the structure of the synthesized phosphor. The prepared phosphor shows an intense red emission around 627 nm under excitation by near UV light. The ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition intensity of the prepared phosphor is three times higher compared to the commercial (Y,Gd)BO₃:Eu³⁺ red phosphor. The CIE colour coordinates of BaY₂ZnO₅:Eu³⁺ (9mol%) phosphor corresponds to be (0.6169, 0.3742) and it has a high 97.9 % colour purity. The obtained results reveal the utility of BaY₂ZnO₅:Eu³⁺ phosphor as an efficient red component in WLEDs, anti-counterfeiting and fingerprint detection applications.     

Ion-exchanged LTA zeolite derived nepheline phase NaAlSiO4:Eu2+ ceramic phosphor for laser illumination

A reliable yellow phosphor converter that can be efficiently excited by a 405 nm bluish violet laser is in high demand for laser illumination applications. A NaAlSiO₄:Eu²⁺ phosphor with a quantum efficiency reaching 92% was obtained using LTA zeolite as the raw material. NaAlSiO₄:Eu²⁺ ceramics with suitable porosities for laser illumination were prepared from the phosphor powders via spark plasma sintering. The ceramics lost only 2% of the quantum efficiency compared to the powders, maintained good thermal quenching properties (30% drop at 150 °C), and showed good thermal conductivity (2.02 W‧m⁻¹‧K⁻¹). The NaAlSiO₄:Eu²⁺ ceramic with 405 nm bluish violet lasers, with the increase in laser power density to 9.15 W/mm², exhibited an increasing luminous flux (23.83–70.26 lm) and maintained a stable luminous efficacy (47.7–46.8 lm/W), and the temperature distribution of the ceramic remained uniform and stable under long-time laser irradiation. This indicates that the nepheline-phase NaAlSiO₄:Eu²⁺ ceramic is a promising material for laser illumination.     

Effects of Eu3+ doping on the luminescence properties of novel Sr2CaLa(VO4)3 from partial substitution of Sr2+ by Ca2+ in Sr3La(VO4)3

Eu³⁺-activated Sr_3−xCa_xLa(VO₄)₃ phosphors were fabricated via citric-acid-assisted sol combustion. Characterization of the Sr_3−xCa_xLa(VO₄)₃:Eu³⁺ samples with different concentrations of Ca²⁺ revealed a hexagonal crystal structure belonging to the R-3m space group. The amount of Ca²⁺ added (x) was controlled within 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 to yield high-purity phosphors. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that an increase in Ca²⁺ concentration resulted in a decrease in the particle size of Sr_3−xCa_xLa(VO₄)₃:Eu³⁺, with the shape gradually changing from nearly equiaxed to lath-shaped. The Sr₂CaLa(VO₄)₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor (denoted as SCLVO:Eu³⁺) exhibited the strongest photoluminescence (PL) intensity at 618 nm among the samples under excitation of 394-nm near-UV (NUV) light. The study of Eu³⁺ doping concentration confirmed that Eu³⁺ could enter the lattice of the SCLVO matrix without altering its crystal structure. SCLVO:Eu³⁺ was found to strongly absorb 394 nm NUV light and 464 nm blue light. The optimal concentration of the Eu³⁺ dopant in the SCLVO host was 0.11, which resulted in the phosphor achieving an excellent PL intensity and a color purity of 98.68%. Tunable luminescence from the orange area (0.5280, 0.4522) of Commission Internationale de l'éclairage (CIE) to the red area (0.6313, 0.3650) was achieved by adjusting the concentration of Eu³⁺. Under 394 nm excitation, SCLVO:0.11Eu³⁺ phosphor has a quantum yield (QY) of 28.2% and excellent thermal stability with 0.383 eV activation energy. Consequently, White-light-emitting diode (WLED) based on SCLVO:0.11Eu³⁺ phosphor yielded a high color rendering index (CRI), low correlated color temperature (CCT), and CIE coordinates of 91.8, 5196 K, and (0.3407, 0.3612), respectively, under the 20 mA driven current. These results indicated the tremendous potential of SCLVO:0.11Eu³⁺ phosphors for application in WLEDs excited by NUV or blue light.     

Ultra-small Stokes shift induced thermal robust efficient blue-emitting alkaline phosphate phosphors for LWUV WLEDs

High power phosphor converted light emitting diodes (pc-LED) are thought to be the next generation technology for lighting and high-tech electronics applications. To achieve optimal luminous efficiency, maximal color gamut and stable color reproducibility, the discovery of high efficient phosphor materials with suitable excitation matching, narrow band emission and robust thermal stability is essential. Herein, we design and construct a new family of alkaline phosphate phosphors ANa₃Mg₇(PO₄)₆:Eu²⁺ (ANMP:Eu²⁺, A = K, Rb and Cs) with rigid diamond-like chain structure. The results indicates that ANMP:Eu²⁺(A = K, Rb and Cs) phosphors exhibit ultra-small Stokes shift and efficient blue emission (λ_max = 444–465 nm) with high internal quantum efficiency (IQE = 83.2%, 90.6% and 93.4% for A = K, Rb and Cs), narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM∼50 nm) and low thermal quenching (87.5%, 96.5% and 84.2%@140 °C for A = K, Rb and Cs), which demonstrate to have higher colorful purity, wider color gamut and better wavelength applicability for using in long-wavelength near ultraviolet (LWUV) LEDs, compared with the traditional commercially available blue phosphor BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ (BAM:Eu²⁺). The Eu²⁺ site preferences and thermal quenching mechanism are studied in detail. Moreover, the in situ temperature dependent Raman spectra and density function theory (DFT) are employed to get better comprehensions of the relationship between crystal-electronic structures and luminescent properties from experiment and calculation, which will provide a good guidance for develop new phosphors with high QE and excellent thermal stability. Finally, utilizing the title phosphors, white LED lamps are fabricated with high color rendering index and an appropriate correlated color temperature. Therefore, all the results demonstrate that the blue-emitting phosphor ANMP:Eu²⁺ (A = Cs, K, Rb) has great potential for applications in high power LWUV pumped pc-LEDs.     

Design of Eu2+-activated broadband orange-emitting phosphors with excellent luminescent performance for warm WLEDs

We report orange-emitting Sr₈La_0.5Na_0.5Mg_1.5(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺ (SLNMPO-0.5:Eu²⁺) and Sr₇LaNaMg_1.5(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺ (SLNMPO-1:Eu²⁺) phosphors with broad emission bands covering from 450 to 800 nm. The phosphors can be excited by n-ultraviolet and blue light efficiently. Their crystal structure, diffuse reflection spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, fluorescence decay curves and thermal stability were investigated systematically. Under the excitation of 365 and 400 nm, SLNMPO-0.5:Eu²⁺ and SLNMPO-1:Eu²⁺ both exhibit better PL properties and contain more red emissions than SMPO:Eu²⁺. CIE coordinates of SLNMPO-0.5:Eu²⁺ and SLNMPO-1:Eu²⁺ under 365 nm excitation are (0.460, 0.497) and (0.457, 0.494), respectively. Furthermore, high-quality warm white light can be generated by fabricating warm white light-emitting diode (WLED) devices with 370 nm LED chips, BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ commercial blue phosphor and orange-emitting SLNMPO-0.5:Eu²⁺ (or SLNMPO-1:Eu²⁺) phosphor. The correlated color temperature, R_a and color coordinates are 3880 K, 94.05, (0.3895, 0.3922) and 3736 K, 91.73, (0.4005, 0.4078) for the fabricated WLED devices with SLNMPO-0.5:Eu²⁺ and SLNMPO-1:Eu²⁺, respectively. The excellent performances indicate that SLNMPO-0.5:Eu²⁺ and SLNMPO-1:Eu²⁺ have great potential to be attractive candidates in the application of warm WLEDs.     

Luminescence properties of Ca2GdNbO6: Sm3+, Eu3+ red phosphors with high quantum yield and excellent thermal stability for WLEDs

A series of Ca₂GdNbO₆: xSm³⁺ (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) and Ca₂GdNbO₆: 0.03Sm³⁺, yEu³⁺ (0.05 ≤ y ≤ 0.3) phosphors were synthesized by the traditional solid-state sintering process. XRD and the corresponding refinement results indicate that both Sm³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions are doped successfully into the lattice of Ca₂GdNbO₆. The micro-morphology shows that the elements of Ca₂GdNbO₆: 0.03Sm³⁺, 0.2Eu³⁺ phosphor are evenly distributed in the sample, and the particle size is about 2 μm. The optical properties and fluorescence lifetime of Ca₂GdNbO₆: 0.03Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors were detailedly studied. The emission peak at ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ (614 nm) is the strongest and emits red light under 406 nm excitation. The increase of Eu³⁺ concentration causes the energy transfers from Sm³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ions, and the transfer efficiency reaches 28.6%. Ca₂GdNbO₆: 0.03Sm³⁺, 0.2Eu³⁺ phosphor has a quantum yield of about 82.7%, and thermal quenching activation energy is of 0.312 eV. The color coordinate (0.646, 0.352) of Ca₂GdNbO₆: 0.03Sm³⁺, 0.2Eu³⁺ phosphors is located in the red area. The LED device fabricated based on the above phosphor emit bright white light, and CCT = 5400 K, Ra = 92.8. The results present that Ca₂GdNbO₆: 0.03Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors potentially find use in the future.     

A novel scheelite-type LiCaGd(WO4)3:Eu3+ red phosphors with prominent thermal stability and high quantum efficiency

A series of LiCaGd(WO4)3 : xEu³⁺ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) red phosphors with tetragonal scheelite structure were synthesized via the conventional solid-state reaction. Their crystal structure, photoluminescence excitation (PLE), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, thermal stability and quantum efficiency were investigated. The phosphors exhibit a typical red light upon 395 nm near ultraviolet excitation, and the strongest emission peak at 617 nm is dominated by the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. The PL intensity of the phosphors gradually increases with the increase of Eu³⁺ doping concentration, and the concentration quenching phenomenon is hardly observed. The quantum efficiency and the color purity of the phosphor reach maximum values of about 94.2 and 96.6% at x = 1.0, respectively. More importantly, LiCaGd(WO₄)₃:xEu³⁺ phosphors have prominent thermal stability. The temperature-dependent PL intensity of the phosphors at 423 K is only reduced to 89.1% of the PL intensity at 303 K, which is superior to that of commercial red phosphors Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺. Finally, LiCaGd(WO₄)₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor is packaged with near ultraviolet InGaN chips to fabricate white light emitting diodes, which has a low color temperature (CCT = 4622 K) and a high color rendering index (CRI= 89.6).     

Broadband excited Na3Tb(PO4)2:Ce3+/Eu2+ green/yellow-emitting phosphors with high color purity for LED-based application

To enhance the display quality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), it is of great significance to exploit green/yellow-emitting phosphors with narrow emission band, high quantum yield, and excellent color purity to satisfy the application. Herein, orthophosphate-based green/yellow-emitting Na₃Tb(PO₄)₂:Ce³⁺/Eu²⁺ (NTPO:Ce³⁺/Eu²⁺) phosphors have been successfully synthesized by a facile solid-state reaction method. The absorption band of NTPO samples was extended to the near-ultraviolet region and the absorption efficiency was significantly improved owing to a highly efficient energy transfer from Ce³⁺/Eu²⁺ ion to Tb³⁺ ion in NTPO host certified by time-resolved PL spectra. Upon 300 nm excitation, the NTPO:Ce³⁺ is characterized by ultra-narrow-band green emission of Tb³⁺ with an absolute quantum yield of 94.5%. Unexpectedly, NTPO:Eu²⁺ emits bright yellow light with a color purity of 73% as a result of the blending of green light emission from Tb³⁺ and red light emission from Eu³⁺. The thermal stability has been improved by controlling the stoichiometric ratio of Na⁺. The prototype white LED used yellow-emitting NTPO:Eu²⁺ phosphor has higher color-rendering index (Ra = 83.5), lower correlated color temperature (CCT = 5206 K), and closer CIE color coordinates (0.338, 0.3187) to the standard white point at (0.333, 0.333) than that used green-emitting NTPO:Ce³⁺ phosphor, indicating the addition of the yellow light component improved the Ra of the trichromatic (RGB) materials.     

Deep blue,cyan, orange-red,and white multicolor emissions generated by Bi3+/Eu3+ activated KBaYSi2O7 luminescent materials for white light-emitting diodes

A variety of Bi³⁺ and/or Eu³⁺ doped KBaYSi₂O₇ phosphors with deep blue, cyan, orange-red, and white light multicolor emissions have been fabricated by a Pechini sol-gel (PSG) method. The KBaYSi₂O₇:Bi³⁺ phosphors exhibit an intense cyan emission or a unique narrow deep blue emission when excited by different wavelengths, which may bridge the cyan gap or act as a promising deep blue phosphor for white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs). The tunable multicolor emissions can be achieved by changing the Bi³⁺ doping concentrations. The Bi³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-doped KBaYSi₂O₇ phosphors display intrinsic emissions of Bi³⁺ and Eu³⁺ and an energy transfer process between Bi³⁺ and Eu³⁺ can be detected. The luminescence colors of KBaYSi₂O₇:Bi³⁺,Eu³⁺ regularly shift from blue, through cold and warm white, finally toward orange-red by adjusting the relative doping concentrations of Bi³⁺ and Eu³⁺. The single-phase white light-emitting material can be generated in both cold and warm white regions by simply varying the Eu³⁺ doping concentrations. Furthermore, three kinds of WLEDs devices are fabricated by KBaYSi₂O₇:Bi³⁺ or KBaYSi₂O₇:Bi³⁺,Eu³⁺ phosphors, which can exhibit dazzling white light emissions with eminent CIE coordinates, correlated color temperature, and color rendering index. The result offers direct evidence that the as-synthesized phosphors may be potentially applied in WLEDs and solid-state lighting.     

Design of a narrow-band blue-emitting Rb2Ba3(P2O7)2:Eu2+ phosphor with low thermal quenching for plant growth LEDs

Phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs) are commonly used to regulate the light environment to control the growth rates and improve the production efficiency of plant. Among them, the exploration of blue-emitting phosphors with high efficiency, low thermal quenching and excellent spectrum resemblance matching with the plant response spectrum is still challenging. Herein, a narrow-band blue-emitting Rb₂Ba₃(P₂O₇)₂:Eu²⁺ phosphor with high color purity of 93.4% has been developed. Under 345 nm excitation, it exhibits a blue emission band centered at 413 nm with a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 36 nm, and the emission spectrum of Rb₂Ba₃(P₂O₇)₂:0.060Eu²⁺ sample shows 85.7% spectrum resemblance with the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll-a in the blue region from 400 to 500 nm. In addition, the temperature-dependent emission spectra demonstrate that the Rb₂Ba₃(P₂O₇)₂:0.060Eu²⁺ phosphor has good thermal stability and small chromaticity shift, with the emission intensity dropping to 72.5% at 423 K of the initial intensity at 298 K and a chromaticity shift of 38 × 10^-3 at 498 K. All results suggest that the blue-emitting Rb₂Ba₃(P₂O₇)₂:Eu²⁺ phosphor has potential application in plant growth LEDs.     

Eu3+‐doped glass as a color rendering index enhancer in phosphor‐in‐glass

A new method for improving color rendering index (CRI) and low correlated color temperature (CCT) in high‐power white‐light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs) is proposed. We used a configuration of phosphor‐in‐glass (PIG) and studied light output changes with the increment in concentration of yellow‐emitting Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (YAG:Ce³⁺) phosphor. The PIG was coupled on the top of blue‐light‐emitting diodes (LED) chip (465 nm). To compensate the lack of red emission in the phosphor, Eu³⁺‐doped tellurium glass with different europium content was employed as a red emitter. The suitable contents of YAG:Ce³⁺ and Eu³⁺ were 7.5 weight percent (wt%) and 3 mol percent (mol%), respectively. The CRI value went from 72 to 82, whereas the CCT was reduced from 24 933 to 6434 K. The proposed structure can improve CCT as well as CRI of WLEDs just by placing a glass on top.     

Site-selective occupation and luminescence property investigation of Ca18Na3Y(PO4)14:Eu2+ phosphor for full-spectrum LED

Cyan-emitting phosphors have attracted widespread attention as an integral part to realize full-spectrum lighting. Understanding the site occupation of luminescence centers is of great importance to design and clarify the luminescent mechanism for new cyan-emitting phosphors. Here, we report a cyan-emitting phosphor Ca₁₈Na₃Y(PO₄)₁₄:Eu²⁺ synthesized by the high-temperature solid-state method. The crystal structure is characterized by X-ray diffraction and refined by the Rietveld method. The diffuse reflectance spectra, excitation/emission spectra, fluorescence decay curves, thermal stability, and related mechanism are systematically studied. The results show that Ca₁₈Na₃Y(PO₄)₁₄:Eu²⁺ crystallizes in a trigonal crystal system with space group R3c. Under excitation at 350 nm, a broadband cyan emission can be obtained at 500 nm with a half-width of about 120 nm, which is caused by Eu²⁺ occupying five different sites in host, namely, Na2O₁₂ (450 nm), (Ca3/Na1)O₈ (485 nm), Ca2O₈ (515 nm), Ca1O₇ (565 nm), and (Ca4/Y)O₆ (640 nm), respectively. Moreover, crystal structure, room and low temperature spectroscopy, and luminescence decay time are used to skillfully verify the site-selective occupation of Eu²⁺. Finally, a full-spectrum light-emitting diode (LED) lamp is fabricated with an improved color rendering index (∼90.3), CCT (∼5492 K), and CIE coordinates (0.332, 0.318). The results show that Ca₁₈Na₃Y(PO₄)₁₄:Eu²⁺ has the potential to act as a cyan emission phosphor for full-spectrum white LEDs.