Host sensitized photoluminescence in Sr2.9-3x/2LnxAlO4F: 0.1Eu3+ (Ln = Gd,Y) for innovative flexible lighting applications

Tetragonal structured Sr₃AlO₄F is highly strained as reported from its global instability index estimation. Moreover, our results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) also ascertained that the structure of Sr₃AlO₄F is highly strained with oxygen vacancies. Herein, aliovalent substitutions of divalent Sr ions with trivalent Ln (Ln = Gd/Y) ions were carried out to improve the stability of Sr₃AlO₄F lattice, which subsequently enhanced the photoluminescence in a series of Sr_2.9-3x/2Ln_xAlO₄F: 0.1Eu³⁺ phosphors. All the phosphors showed intense red-orange emission (⁵D₀ → ⁷F_1,2) at excitation with UV and near-UV light. The critical concentrations of Gd³⁺ and Y³⁺ up to which the Eu³⁺ emission intensities increased linearly were observed to be x = 0.09 and x = 0.07, respectively. Nevertheless, further enhancement in the Eu³⁺ luminescence of the optimized phosphors was realized by subsequently annealing in low oxygen atmospheres. The enhancement in oxygen deficiency during the post-annealing in Ar or vacuum led the energy transfer (O^2--Eu³⁺) to a greater extent which afterward increased the Eu³⁺ luminescence. The optimized Sr_2.765Gd_0.09AlO₄F: 0.1Eu³⁺ and Sr_2.795Y_0.07AlO₄F: 0.1Eu³⁺ phosphors showed high red color purity (~99%), as well as CIE coordinates of (0.62, 0.38), indicated that these phosphors could be appropriate red-emitting components for making flexible optical films for many lighting devices. Therefore, flexible polydimethylsiloxane based films were also fabricated using optimized Sr_2.765Gd_0.09AlO₄F: 0.1Eu³⁺ phosphor. The electroluminescence of a flexible PDMS-phosphor composite film showed an intense and pure red color with good thermal stability suggesting its suitability in flexible lighting and display devices.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Eu2+/Eu3+ or Ce3+/Eu3+ co-doped Sr5(BO3)3F compounds

The synthesis and photo-luminescence properties of Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ or Ce³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-doped Sr₅(BO₃)₃F compounds are reported. Using the Sr₅(BO₃)₃F as the host, through the solid state reaction under the reductive atmosphere, Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ and Ce³⁺/Eu³⁺co-doped samples were prepared. These compounds exhibit good photo-luminescence properties. Under the excitation of 376 nm, an unusual red orange emission coming from the Eu²⁺ ions can be obtained in Eu ions doped Sr₅(BO₃)₃F, which exhibits a broadband emission in the range of 450–800 nm with the peak at around 600 nm. At the same time, the characteristic f-f excitation and emission of Eu³⁺ can improve and adjust the Eu²⁺ emission in Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺ codoped Sr₅(BO₃)₃F. In addition, the adjustable luminescence properties from blue to white of Sr₅(BO₃)₃F:Ce³⁺, Eu³⁺ are investigated. The energy transfer behavior from Ce³⁺ to Eu³⁺ was confirmed. In the spectra of the co-doped samples, we can hardly observe the characteristic peak of Eu²⁺, because Ce⁴⁺ can oxidize Eu²⁺ to Eu³⁺, and Ce⁴⁺ itself is reduced to Ce³⁺. The CIE coordinates from (0.2758, 0.2420) to (0.3857, 0.3015) show Sr₅(BO₃)₃F:3%Ce³⁺, x%Eu³⁺ (x = 1,3,5,7,9) are in the white light emission region. All results demonstrate that the Sr₅(BO₃)₃F:Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺ and Sr₅(BO₃)₃F:Ce³⁺/Eu³⁺ phosphors have good application prospects for LED plant growth and white LED, respectively. The bond energy method was used to explain the reason why the Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ ion instead of only Eu²⁺ and Ce³⁺/Eu³⁺ instead of Ce³⁺/Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺ can exist in the host Sr₅(BO₃)₃F. The theoretical analysis agree well with the experimental result.     

A comparison study on the substitution of Y3+−Al3+ by M2+−Si4+(M = Ba,Sr, Ca,Mg) in Y3Al5O12: Ce3+ phosphor

Y_1.94MAl₄SiO₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺ (M = Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg) phosphors were successfully prepared through a classic solid-state reaction method. The crystal structures, photoluminescence spectra, quantum yields, and thermal stabilities of the phosphors were investigated in detail. The results indicate that all Y_1.94MAl₄SiO₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺ phosphors maintain the crystal structure of garnets. The emission peaks of Y_1.94MAl₄SiO₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺ (M = Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg) phosphors are located at 537, 538, 554, and 565 nm, respectively. A red-shift trend of emission peak is observed with decreasing M radius, which can be ascribed to the increase in the crystal-field splitting in the Ce³⁺ 5d level owing to the co-doping of M²⁺−Si⁴⁺. Under 460 nm excitation, the luminescence quantum yields and thermal stabilities of the Y_1.94MAl₄SiO₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺ phosphors decreased with the decrease of M radius. The IQE of the Y_1.94BaAl₄SiO₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺ phosphor is 92.89%, and the resistance to thermal quenching is improved to be 93.32% at 150°C. In addition, the color shifts of Y_1.94MAl₄SiO₁₂: 0.06Ce³⁺ phosphors with increasing temperature are all tiny, which also demonstrates good resistance to thermal quenching of luminescence. The linear shrinkage of Y_1.94MAl₄SiO₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺ phosphors is significantly improved compared with that of YAG: Ce³⁺, which is expected to generate Y_1.94MAl₄SiO₁₂:0.06Ce³⁺ transparent/translucent ceramics and fabricate high-powder w-LEDs for high-quality solid-state lighting in the future.     

A New Blue‐Emitting Phosphor of Ce3+‐Activated Fluorosilicate Apatite Ba2Y3[SiO4]3F

Blue‐emitting phosphor of Ce³⁺‐activated fluorosilicate apatite Ba₂Y₃[SiO₄]₃F was prepared via conventional solid‐state reaction method. The X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, and the decay curves (lifetimes) were applied to characterize the phosphors. The effects of Ce³⁺ activator concentration on the luminescence properties were investigated. Ba₂Y_2.85Ce_0.15[SiO₄]₃F exhibits the brightest blue emission with CIE coordinates of (x = 0.231, y = 0.301). The crystallographic site of Ce³⁺ ions in Ba₂Y₃[SiO₄]₃F lattices was identified. Two kinds of crystallographic Ce³⁺ occupying MI and MII sites in Ba₂Y₃[SiO₄]₃F lattices result in two distinct emission centers. The internal PL quantum efficiency, the temperature‐dependent luminescence, and the activation energy of thermal quenching were investigated to evaluate the potential application. This is a new kind of blue‐emitting phosphor based on apatite structure.     

Luminescence properties and energy transfer investigations of Sr2B2O5:Ce3+,Tb3+ phosphors

Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped Sr₂B₂O₅ phosphors were synthesized by the solid-state method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the phase structure. The luminescent properties of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped Sr₂B₂O₅ phosphors were investigated by using the photoluminescence emission, excitation spectra and reflectance spectra, respectively. The excitation spectra indicate that this phosphor can be effectively excited by near ultraviolet (n-UV) light of 317 nm. Under the excitation of 317 nm, Sr₂B₂O₅:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphors exhibited blue emission corresponding to the f–d transition of Ce³⁺ ions and green emission bands corresponding to the f–f transition of Tb³⁺ ions, respectively. The Reflectance spectra of the Sr₂B₂O₅:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphors are noted that combine with Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ion absorptions. Effective energy transfer occurred from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ in Sr₂B₂O₅ host due to the observed spectra overlap between the emission spectrum of Ce³⁺ ion and the excitation spectrum of Tb³⁺ ion. The energy transfer efficiency from Ce³⁺ ion to Tb³⁺ ion was also calculated to be 90%. The phosphor Sr₂B₂O₅:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ could be considered as one of double emission phosphor for n-UV excited white light emitting diodes.     

Photoluminescence properties and energy transfer between activators at different crystallographic sites in Ce3+ doped Sr2MgAl22O36

In this paper, a series of Ce3+ doped Sr₂MgAl₂₂O₃₆ (SMA) phosphors have been prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction method. The phase structure of prepared samples was checked by the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology of the samples was inspected using a field-emission scanning electron microscope (SEM). Under different UV radiation, this phosphor exhibits different emission bands due to the Ce³⁺ ions located at different lattice sites. The corresponding luminescence and energy transfer mechanisms have been proposed in detail. The phosphor exhibits different concentration quenching mechanisms because the Ce³⁺ ions substitute two different crystallographic sites in the host. Moreover, the temperature dependent emission properties of SMA:Ce³⁺ were conducted from 30 °C to 200 °C, as much as 72.96% of the room-temperature emission intensity is retained at 150 °C. The SMA:Ce³⁺ phosphor exhibits bright blue emission with CIE coordinates (x=0.16, y=0.12) under UV excitation. The results indicate that SMA:Ce³⁺ phosphor has great potential applications in UV-pumped light emitting diodes.     

Anomalous 5D0-7FJ photoluminescence properties and the random site occupancy of Eu3+ in Sr5(BO3)3F

A novel luminescent material Sr₅(BO₃)₃F:x%Eu³⁺ was synthesized for the first time by a high temperature solid phase reaction in an air atmosphere. The luminescence properties and site occupancy of Sr₅(BO₃)₃F:x%Eu³⁺ phosphors were studied. The XRD powder diffraction data imply that the series of targets synthesized are pure phases. After repeated experiments, it was found that the main peak position of the excitation and emission spectra changed greatly when the same concentration or different concentration of Eu³⁺ was doped, and two kinds of spectral phenomena appeared. First, the position of the broadband excitation peak is about 335 nm, and the position of the strongest emission peak belongs to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₀ transition of Eu³⁺ at 572 nm. Second, the position of the broadband excitation peak is about 275 nm, and the position of the strongest emission peak belongs to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ at 619 nm. These imply that different lattice sites are occupied by Eu³⁺ in Sr₅(BO₃)₃F. At the same time, the unusually strong ⁵D₀→⁷F₀ transition illustrates the presence of interstitial oxygen and anomalous crystal field strength in system. A theoretical calculation method of bond energy was applied to study the site occupancy of Eu³⁺, which shows that any one of Sr1, Sr2, and Sr3 has the possibility of being occupied by Eu³⁺. Therefore, our test results are consistent well with the theoretical analysis.     

Preparation and Application of Strong Near‐Infrared Emission Phosphor Sr3SiO5:Ce3+,Al3+,Nd3+

This work investigated the near‐infrared (NIR) emission properties of mCe³⁺, xNd³⁺ codoped Sr_3?m?x(Si_1?m?xAl_m+x)O₅ phosphors. Samples with various doping concentrations were synthesized by the high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. Al³⁺ ions have the ability to promote Ce³⁺ ions to enter into the Sr²⁺ sites and to improve the visible emission of Ce³⁺. Thus the NIR emission of Nd³⁺ is enhanced by the energy‐transfer process, which occurred from Ce³⁺ to Nd³⁺. The device based on these NIR emission phosphors is fabricated and combined with a commercial c‐Si solar cell for performance testing. Short‐circuit current density of the solar cell is increased by 7.7%. Results of this work suggest that the Sr_2.95Si_0.95Al_0.05O₅:0.025Ce³⁺, 0.025Nd³⁺ phosphors can be used as spectral convertors to improve the efficiency of c‐Si solar cell.     

Effect of codoping Ce3+ on the luminescence properties of Sr9Mg1.5(PO4)7:Eu2+ orange–yellow phosphor

Sr₉Mg_1.5(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺ has recently been reported as a promising blue light-excited orange–yellow phosphor that can be used in white LED device. Here, Ce³⁺-codoping is found to be an effective strategy to improve the luminescence performance of Sr₉Mg_1.5(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor. The coexistence of Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions has been verified via photoluminescence spectral analysis. The reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in Sr₉Mg_1.5(PO₄)₇ lattice cannot be completed in a reducing atmosphere, but can be promoted through codoping with Ce³⁺ ions to a great extent, which finally increase the effective concentration of Eu²⁺ in the crystal lattice. The Eu³⁺−Eu²⁺ reduction mechanism is analyzed using a charge compensation model. This work not only achieves enhanced luminescence of the Sr₉Mg_1.5(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor by codoping with Ce³⁺ ions, but also provides new insights into the design of Ce³⁺/Eu²⁺ codoped luminescent materials.     

Electronic conductivity,oxygen permeability and thermal expansion of Sr0.7Ce0.3Mn1−xAlxO3−δ

The maximum solubility of aluminum cations in the perovskite lattice of Sr_0.7Ce_0.3Mn_1−xAl_xO_3−δ is approximately 15%. The incorporation of Al³⁺ increases oxygen ionic transport due to increasing oxygen nonstoichiometry, and decreases the tetragonal unit cell volume and thermal expansion at temperatures above 600 °C. The total conductivity of Sr_0.7Ce_0.3Mn_1−xAl_xO_3−δ (x = 0–0.2), predominantly electronic, decreases with aluminum additions and has an activation energy of 10.2–10.9 kJ/mol at 350–850 °C. Analysis of the electronic conduction and Seebeck coefficient of Sr_0.7Ce_0.3Mn_0.9Al_0.1O_3−δ, measured in the oxygen partial pressure range from 10⁻¹⁸ to 0.5 atm at 700–950 °C, revealed trends characteristic of broad-band semiconductors, such as temperature-independent mobility. The temperature dependence of the charge carrier concentration is weak, but exhibits a tendency to thermal excitation, whilst oxygen losses from the lattice have an opposite effect. The role of the latter factor becomes significant at temperatures above 800 °C and on reducing p(O₂) below 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻² atm. The oxygen permeability of dense Sr_0.7Ce_0.3Mn_1−xAl_xO_3−δ (x = 0–0.2) membranes, limited by both bulk ionic conduction and surface exchange, is substantially higher than that of (La, Sr)MnO₃-based materials used for solid oxide fuel cell cathodes. The average thermal expansion coefficients of Sr_0.7Ce_0.3Mn_1−xAl_xO_3−δ ceramics in air are (10.8–11.8) × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹.     

Gel-combustion assisted synthesis of eulytite-type Sr3Y(PO4)3 as a single host for narrow-band Eu3+ and broad-band Eu2+ emissions

A series of eulytite-type Sr₃Y_1-x(PO₄)₃:xEu³⁺ (x = 0–0.13) and Sr_3-yY(PO₄)₃:yEu²⁺ (y = 0–0.10) phosphors were successfully synthesized via gel-combustion and subsequent calcination in O₂ and Ar/H₂ atmospheres at 1250 °C, respectively. Detailed crystal structure analysis via Rietveld refinement showed that the phosphors were crystallized in the cubic system (space group I-43d, No. 220), in which the Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ activators reside at the Y³⁺ and Sr²⁺ sites, respectively. The trivalent Eu³⁺ ions (CN = 6) exhibited typical narrow-band luminescence via intra-4f⁶ transitions, with the red emission at ~ 615 nm being dominant (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition, FWHM = 15.9 ± 0.2 nm). The divalent Eu²⁺ ions (CN = 6 and 9) showed broad-band luminescence ranging from light-blue to blue via 4f⁶5d¹ → 4f⁷ transitions (FWHM = 115 ± 2 nm). The optimal Eu³⁺ and Eu²⁺ concentrations were determined to be 10 at% (x = 0.10) and 7 at% (y = 0.07), respectively, and the mechanisms of concentration quenching were discussed. The excitation/emission properties, fluorescence decay kinetics, CIE chromaticity, and particularly the rarely addressed thermal stability of the phosphors were investigated in detail.     

Luminescent properties of a novel afterglow phosphor Sr3Al2O5Cl2:Eu,Ce

A series of Eu²⁺ and Ce³⁺ doped/co-doped Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂ afterglow phosphors that presented various bright colors were successfully synthesized via high temperature solid state reaction. The structure and luminescence properties of the obtained samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and decay curves as well as the thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves. The XRD results showed that all the phase could be indexed to the orthorhombic structure with the space group P2₁2₁2₁. After being exposed to a 254 nm or 365 nm mercury lamp, blue/yellow-orange afterglow emissions with broad bands peaking around 620 nm/435 nm, which were ascribed to the characteristic 4f⁶5d–4f⁷/5d¹–4f¹ transitions of Eu²⁺/Ce³⁺, could be observed in phosphors of Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺/Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Ce³⁺, respectively. Because of the overlap spectral range between the Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺ and Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Ce³⁺ phosphors, the energy transfer (ET) from Ce³⁺ to Eu²⁺ occurred. The related ET process was discussed in detail. Moreover, the incorporation of Ce³⁺ could significantly prolong the afterglow duration of Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺ phosphor, which was due to the increase of trap concentration. Consequently, 6 h of the afterglow duration could be observed in Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:1.0%Eu²⁺, 0.5%Ce³⁺ sample, exhibiting much longer than that of Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂: 1.0%Eu²⁺ (3 h). From the afterglow decay curves and the fitting results, the optimal concentration of Ce³⁺ for the enhanced afterglow property was experimentally determined to be 0.5%.     

Structural analysis and electrode performance of Ce doped SrMnO3 synthesised by EDTA citrate complexing process

Abstract

Sr_1?xCe_xMnO₃ (SCM, 0·1≤x≤0·4) powders were synthesised by an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid citrate complexing process, and their properties were investigated. The synthesised Sr_1?xCe_xMnO₃ powders showed a pure perovskite phase, whereas the composition with x?=?0·4 had second phases. The unit cell volumes increased with increasing Ce content because substituted Ce ions formed some Mn³⁺ ions, which have a larger ionic radius than Mn⁴⁺. The electrical conductivity improved with increasing Ce content up to x?=?0·3 (291 S cm^?1 at 750°C), revealing a double exchange interaction. Although the electrical conductivity was increased by doping Ce ions, the polarisation resistance increased due to the increase in lattice distortion with doping Ce content. The substitution of Ce ions for Sr in SrMnO₃ led to the formation of larger Mn³⁺ ions than Mn⁴⁺ ions and lattice distortion, which would affect the electrical and oxygen ion conductivity.     

Perovskite structure and low frequency relaxor- like- dielectric response of (Sr,Ce)TiO3 solid solution

Phase composition, structure stability, cations valance state, and relaxor-like-dielectric behavior of Sr_(1–3/2x)Ce_xTiO₃ (SCT, x = 0.3, 0.4) solid solution were investigated systematically. The Sr_(1–3/2x)Ce_xTiO₃ samples appear to be single phase within the detection limits of the technique, whereas the solid solution exhibits the higher angle doublet and triplet peak splitting associated with (200) and (321). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that the Ce substitution induces change in the cations valance state upon oxygen vacancies formation. The system exhibits features of low-frequency dependent relaxor-like-dielectric behavior rather than sharp frequency-independent anomalies. Besides this, two kind of relaxations were detected in the temperature range ≥ 350 °C. According to the electric modulus and ac conductivity analysis, the relaxor-like-dielectric behavior results from the long-range conduction associated with ionized vacancies and mixed state of Ti^3+/4+ and Ce^3+/4+ cations.     

Crystal structure evolution and luminescence property of Ce3+-doped Y2O3-Al2O3-Sc2O3 ternary ceramics

Ce³⁺-doped Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃-Sc₂O₃ ternary ceramics with varying Sc₂O₃ were prepared via solid-state-reactive method. Their constitutions, crystal structures, microstructures and luminescence properties were thoroughly investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, ⁴⁵Sc and ²⁷Al solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as photoluminescence (PL) characterizations. Single-phased YSAG transparent ceramics with garnet structure and homogeneous microstructures can be obtained. The NMR results suggest that partial [AlO₆] octahedrons are converted into [AlO₄] tetrahedrons with increased Sc³⁺. Partial Sc³⁺ occupies the remaining octahedral sites, the other Sc³⁺ occupies the dodecahedral sites. The luminescence spectra of the as-prepared ceramics show broadened emission bands with excessive Sc³⁺ incorporation. More significantly, the solubility of Ce³⁺ in garnet ceramics extensively increases due to the incorporation of Sc³⁺, leading to a considerable red-shift and broadening of emission spectra with little luminescence decline, indicating that the new ceramic phosphors are promising for white-light illumination with improved color rendering index.     

Effect of Ce-doping on microstructure and electrical properties of LaAlO3 ceramics

A series of novel negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor materials based on La_1-xCe_xAlO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) ceramics were synthesized via the solid-state route. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the successful doping of Ce in the La_1-xCe_xAlO₃ crystal and the formation of a good solid solution. Scanning electron microscopy results indicated that Ce doping is beneficial for grain growth and reduces the porosity of the samples. With the increase in the Ce doping amount, the average grain size increased from 2.1793 to 10.7344 μm, and densities of the ceramics increased from 93.15% to 99.26%. The temperature vs resistance curve indicated that Ce doping reduces the resistivity of LaAlO₃ materials, while reducing the B_200/1400 value of the LaAlO₃ ceramic. For a doping amount of 0.2, the B_200/1400 value of the LaAlO₃ ceramic decreased from 18175.1 to 4897.7K, and the resistivity at 1000 °C decreased from 68971.87 to 1105.15 Ω cm. In addition, the La_1-xCe_xAlO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) series materials exhibited good linear NTC characteristics. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results revealed that the resistivity of the LaAlO₃ materials decreased after Ce doping owing to the transformation between the Ce⁴⁺ and Ce³⁺ valence states，and the concentration of Ce³⁺ increased with the increase in the Ce doping amount. Ce³⁺ increases the concentration of oxygen vacancies, decreasing the resistance. Impedance analysis findings suggested that the resistance of the La_1-xCe_xAlO₃ (0 ＜ x ≤ 0.2) material mainly originates from the grain. These results indicate that Ce doping is an effective method to reduce the resistivity of LaAlO₃. Consequently, La_1-xCe_xAlO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) is a promising material for NTC applications.     

Partial cation substitution of tunable blue-cyan-emitting Ba2B2O5:Ce3+ for near-UV white LEDs

In this study, Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mg²⁺ ions act to tune the emission band to the blue-cyan region in Ba_xSr_yB₂O₅:Ce³⁺ (BSBO), Ba_xCa_zB₂O₅:Ce³⁺ (BCBO), Ba_xZn_uB₂O₅:Ce³⁺ (BZBO), and Ba_xMg_vB₂O₅:Ce³⁺ (BMBO) phosphors. A red shift occurs with the increase of Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mg²⁺ concentration, and a blue shift occurs when the concentrations of Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mg²⁺ exceed the critical value. The emission color can be tuned from deep blue (0.15, 0.12) to cyan (0.16, 0.27) upon 365 nm UV lamp excitation due to the crystal field splitting and centroid shifts. The excitation band shift to long wavelength by introducing ions, so that the synthesized phosphor can be better matched with the n-UV chip. The emission intensity slowly decreases with the temperature increasing. Therefore, the BMBO:Ce³⁺, BZBO:Ce³⁺, BCBO:Ce³⁺, and BSBO:Ce³⁺ phosphors with relatively good thermal stability were synthesized, which could have potential applications in the n-UV white LEDs.     

Effect of Ce3+ doping on phase and microwave dielectric properties of 0.94MgTiO3−0.06(Ca0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 ceramics

In this study, 0.94Mg_(1-3x/2)Ce_xTiO₃−0.06(Ca_0.8Sr_0.2)TiO₃ (MCe_xT−CST, 0≤x≤0.01) composite ceramics were prepared at a low temperature of 1175°C by using the 50-nm-sized powders. The effects of Ce³⁺ doping on crystalline phase, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of MCe_xT−CST were studied. A main ilmenite (Mg,Ce)TiO₃ phase and a minor perovskite (Ca_0.8Sr_0.2)TiO₃ phase coexist well with the appearance of impurity MgTi₂O₅ phase in MCe_xT−CST. The dielectric properties of MCe_xT−CST are affected by the molecular polarizability, the impurity phase, and the Ce³⁺ doping. The replacement of Mg²⁺ by high valence Ce³⁺ could effectively inhibit the formation of oxygen vacancy, resulting in the enhancement of Q×f. When x = 0.005, MCe_xT−CST exhibits microwave dielectric properties with a moderate ε_r of 21.5, a high Q×f of 67 000 GHz, and a near-zero τ_f of −0.74 ppm/°C. The results reveal that the Ce³⁺ substitution is a prospective approach to optimize the microwave dielectric properties of MgTiO₃-based ceramics.     

The luminescence properties,energy transfer mechanism of the color tunable and high quantum efficiency LaAl2.03B4O10.54: Ce3+, Tb3+ phosphors

Tb³⁺ is a typical green emitting luminescence center in inorganic compounds. However, the absorption of Tb³⁺ is very weak in ultraviolet spectral region (from 240 to 400 nm). Ce³⁺ is often used as a sensitizer to transfer energy to Tb³⁺. In this paper, Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ were co-doped into a novel aluminates-borates LaAl_2.03B₄O_10.54. Ce³⁺ can absorb UV light (from 240 to 340 nm) and transfer absorbed energy to co-doped Tb³⁺ effectively and bring bright green emission of Tb³⁺. The crystal structure and fluorescence spectra of phosphors, the efficiency of energy transfer between Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺, decay dynamics, the thermal stability and internal quantum efficiency of luminescence have been investigated in detail. These results indicate that the color tunable LaAl_2.03B₄O_10.54: Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ phosphor is a potential green-emitting material. Especially, analysis about the relationship of the doping concentration of luminescence centers and thermal stability of luminescence points out a feasible way to enhance the thermal stability of luminescence in the future.     

Luminescence Properties and Energy Transfer of Ce3+,Tb3+‐Coactivatedβ‐SiAlON Phosphors

Using the solid‐state reaction method, Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺‐coactivated Si₅AlON₇ (Si_6?zAl_zO_zN_8?z, z = 1) phosphors were successfully synthesized. The obtained phosphors exhibit high absorption and strong excitation bands in the wavelength range of 240–440 nm, matching well with the light emitting‐diode (LED) chip. The ET from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ ions in Si₅AlON₇:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ has been studied and demonstrated by the luminescence spectra and decay curves. Moreover, the phosphors show tunable emissions from blue to green by tuning the relative ratio of the Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ ions. Thermal quenching properties of Si₅AlON₇:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ had also been investigated and the quenching temperature is ~190°C. These results show that Si₅AlON₇:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺ could be a promising candidate for a single‐phased color‐tunable phosphor applied in UV‐chip pumped LEDs.