Synthesis and luminescence enhancement of red-emitting Sr9Y(PO4)7:Eu3+ phosphor through Gd3+ co-doping for white light-emitting diodes

A series of Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇:Eu³⁺ and Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇:Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺ red-emitting phosphors were prepared via a high-temperature solid-state method, Gd³⁺ ion was co-doped in Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇:Eu³⁺ as sensitizer to enhance the luminescence property. The X-ray diffraction results verify that the structure of the as-prepared samples is consistent with the standard Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇ phase. All the Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇:Eu³⁺ samples show both characteristic emission peaks at 594 nm and 614 nm under near-ultraviolet excitation of 394 nm. The co-doping of Gd³⁺ significantly improves the luminescence intensity of the Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇:Eu³⁺ phosphors due to the crystal field environment effect and energy transfer of Gd³⁺→Eu³⁺ caused by the introduction of Gd³⁺, especially Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇:0.11Eu³⁺, 0.05Gd³⁺, which emission intensity is higher than that of Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇:0.11Eu³⁺ by 1.21 times. The color purity and lifetime of Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇:0.11Eu³⁺, 0.05Gd³⁺ phosphor are 88.26% and 3.7615 ms, respectively. A w-LED device was packaged via coating the as-prepared phosphor on n-UV chip of 395 nm with commercial phosphors. These results exhibit that the Sr₉Y(PO₄)₇:Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺ red-emitting phosphor can be used as a red component in the w-LEDs application.     

Sr3Lu (VO4)3: Eu3+ red-emitting phosphors for warm white LEDs

A series of novel red emission phosphors Sr₃Lu_1-x(VO₄)₃:xEu³⁺(x = 0.007, 0.009, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) were synthesized successfully by traditional high-temperature solid-state reaction. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveal the doped Eu³⁺ ions have replaced the lattice sites of Lu³⁺ ions. The diffuse reflectance spectra illustrate the energy gap of Sr₃Lu(VO₄)₃ host is 3.61 eV. The room-temperature steady-state fluorescence spectra show that these phosphors can be effectively pumped by the charge-transfer band (CTB) of the host in near ultraviolet (NUV) spectral region and then produce strong and pure red emission at 615 nm originated from ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ electric dipole transition of Eu³⁺. The Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of Sr₃Lu_0.96(VO₄)₃:0.04Eu³⁺ are (x = 0.65, y = 0.35), which are very close to the red standard of National Television Standards Committee NTSC (0.67, 0.33). The fabricated warm white-light-emitting diodes (LED) demonstrate high color-rendering index Ra as 93. The results imply the red-emitting Sr₃Lu(VO₄)₃:Eu³⁺ phosphors could be potentially utilized in the fields of solid-state lighting.     

Sr3GdLi(PO4)3F:Eu2+, Mn2+: A tunable blue-white color emitting phosphor via energy transfer for near-UV white LEDs

A series of Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ co-doping Sr₃GdLi(PO₄)₃F phosphors have been synthesized through high temperature solid state reaction. Eu²⁺ single doped Sr₃GdLi(PO₄)₃F phosphors have an efficient excitation in the range of 230–430 nm, which is in good agreement with the commercial near-ultraviolet (n-UV) LED chips, and gives intense blue emission centering at 445 nm. The critical distance of the Eu²⁺ ions in Sr₃GdLi(PO₄)₃F is computed and demonstrated that the concentration quenching mechanism of Eu²⁺ is mostly caused by the dipole-dipole interaction. By co-doping Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions in the Sr₃GdLi(PO₄)₃F host, the energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ that can be discovered. With the increase of Mn²⁺ content, emission color can be adjusted from blue to white under excitation of 380 nm, corresponding to chromatic coordinates change from (0.189, 0.108) to (0.319, 0.277). The energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ ions is proven to be a dipole-dipole mechanism on the basis of the experimental results and analysis of photoluminescence spectra and decay curves. This study infers that the obtained Sr₃GdLi(PO₄)₃F:Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors may be a potential candidate for n-UV LEDs.     

Red-shift and improved afterglow of Sr3Al2-xBxO5Cl2:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphors via a cation substitution strategy

Sr₃Al_2-xB_xO₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4) long persistent phosphors were prepared via solid-state process. The pristine Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphor exhibits orange/red broad band emission around 609 nm, which can be attributed to the electric radiation transitions 4f⁶5 d¹→4f⁷ of Eu²⁺. Upon the same excitation, the B³⁺-doped Sr₃Al_2-xB_xO₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors display red-shift from 609 nm to 625 nm with increasing B³⁺ concentrations. The XRD patterns show that Al³⁺ can be replaced by B³⁺ in the host lattice at the tetrahedral site, which causes lattice contraction and crystal field enhancement, and thereafter achieves the red-shift on the emission spectrum. The XPS investigation provides direct evidence of the dominant 2-valent europium in the phosphor, which can be ascribed for the broad band emission of the prepared phosphors. The afterglow of all phosphors show standard double exponential decay behavior, and the afterglow of Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺is rather weak, while the sample co-doped with B³⁺shows longer and stronger afterglow, as confirmed after the curve simulation. The analysis of thermally stimulated luminescence showed that, when B³⁺ is introduced, a much deeper trap is created, and the density of the electron trap is also significantly increased. As a result, B³⁺ ions caused redshift and enhanced afterglow for the Sr₃Al_2-xB_xO₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphor.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of the high-brightness Eu3+-doped Sr3Y(PO4)3 red phosphors

A series of red-emitting phosphors Eu³⁺-doped Sr₃Y(PO₄)₃ have been successfully synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction, and its photoluminescence properties have been investigated. The excitation spectra reveal strong excitation bands at 392 nm, which match well with the popular emissions from near-UV light-emitting diode chips. The emission spectra of Sr₃Y(PO₄)₃:Eu³⁺ phosphors exhibit peaks associated with the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions of Eu³⁺ and have dominating emission peak at 612 nm under 392 nm excitation. The integral intensity of the emission spectra of Sr₃Y_0.94(PO₄)₃:0.06Eu³⁺ phosphors excited at 392 nm is about 3.4 times higher than that of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ commercial red phosphor. The Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates, the quantum efficiencies and decay times of the phosphors excited under 392 nm are also investigated. The experimental results indicate that the Eu³⁺-doped Sr₃Y(PO₄)₃ phosphors are promising red-emitting phosphors pumped by near-UV light.     

White emitting Dy3+ activated perovskite titanates and energy transfer by Eu3+ codoping

Perovskite type titanate phosphors Sr_0.97−xDy_0.03Li_xTi_1−xNb_xO₃, Sr_0.9−xDy_xLi_0.1Ti_0.9Nb_0.1O₃ and Sr_0.87−yDy_0.03Eu_yLi_0.1Ti_0.9Nb_0.1O₃ were prepared by conventional solid state method. Herein, white light emission from Sr_0.9−xDy_xLi_0.1Ti_0.9Nb_0.1O₃ phosphors and the lowering of its color temperature through codoping with Eu³⁺ ions are reported. Raman measurements have shown that the incorporation of dopants alters the vibrational properties of these phosphors significantly, indicating the reduction of the local symmetry in the crystal lattice. The addition of LiNbO₃ in SrTiO₃:Dy³⁺ phosphor enhances the luminescence intensity and the yellow to blue ratio resulting in emission of high quality white light with color coordinates corresponding to that of standard white. Life time measurements and data fits of Sr_0.9−xDy_xLi_0.1Ti_0.9Nb_0.1O₃ phosphors revealed the biexponential behaviour of luminescence decay profiles. From Judd-Ofelt analysis it is found that the intensity parameter Ω₂ increases with Dy³⁺ concentration and a quantum efficiency of 90.4% was obtained for optimum concentration. In the case of Dy³⁺ and Eu³⁺ codoped phosphors, the color coordinates are found to be sensitive to the Eu³⁺ concentration and the highest energy transfer efficiency of 92% was obtained for the phosphor doped with 10 mol% Eu³⁺. The emission color changes from cold white to reddish orange when the wavelength of excitation alters from 452 to 388 nm, since the energy transfer mechanism alone take place under 452 nm excitation and both direct absorption and the energy transfer mechanism occurs under 388 nm excitation.     

Energy transfer and multicolor tunable emission in single-phase Tb3+, Eu3+ co-doped Sr3La(PO4)3 phosphors

A series of green-to-red color-tunable Sr₃La(PO₄)₃:Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors were prepared by high temperature solid-state method. The crystal structures, photoluminescence properties, fluorescence lifetimes, and energy transfer of Sr₃La(PO₄)₃:Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺ were systematically investigated in detail. The obtained phosphors show both a green emission from Tb³⁺ and a red emission from Eu³⁺ with considerable intensity under ultraviolet (UV) excitation (~377 nm). The emission colors of the phosphors can be tuned from green (0.304, 0.589) through yellow (0.401, 0.505) and eventually to red (0.557, 0.392) due to efficient Tb³⁺-Eu³⁺ energy transfer (ET). The Tb³⁺→Eu³⁺ energy transfer process was demonstrated to be quadrupole-quadrupole mechanism by Inokuti-Hirayama model, with maximum ET efficiency of 86.3%. The results indicate that the Sr₃La(PO₄)₃:Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors might find potential applications in the field of lighting and displays.     

Local coordination,electronic structure,and thermal quenching of Ce3+ in isostructural Sr2GdAlO5 and Sr3AlO4F phosphors

Sr₂GdAlO₅:Ce and Sr₃AlO₄F:Ce are isostructural phosphors in which the Ce³⁺ 4f-5d₁ transition can be efficiently excited by a photon with energy lower than 3.1 eV. Herein, we analyze the crystal chemistry of the Ce³⁺ local coordination, compare the thermal quenching behavior and construct the electronic structure of Ce³⁺ in them. The Rietveld refinement on two occupancy models suggests that Gd³⁺ only occupies the 8h site in Sr₂GdAlO₅; this provides a hint on the preferred occupancy of dopant Ce³⁺ in this site. The large crystal filed splitting of Ce_8h is mainly due to the fact that the 8h site is bonded to two oxygen with relatively short d_Sr/Gd-O and forms a quasi-square antiprism which experiences a large distortion. The Ce³⁺ 5d-4f luminescence in Sr₃AlO₄F is much more stable against thermal quenching than that in Sr₂GdAlO₅, as evidenced by the temperature-dependent luminescence intensity and luminescence decay studies. The energy of the O²⁻-Eu^3+/2+ and O²⁻-Ce^4+/3+ charge transfer as well as bandgap were estimated and the electronic structure of Ce³⁺ were constructed. A larger energy barrier ΔE_dC between the Ce³⁺ 5d₁ level and the conduction band bottom in Sr₃AlO₄F is seen from the Vacuum Referred Binding Energy (VRBE) diagrams which explains the higher thermal quenching temperature by thermal ionization model.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence enhancement of Ca3Sr3(VO4)4:Eu3+ red phosphors by co-doping with La3+

In this study, a series of red-emitting Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors co-doped with La³⁺ was prepared using the combustion method. The microstructures, morphologies, and photoluminescence properties of the phosphors were investigated. All Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄:Eu³⁺, La³⁺ samples synthesized at temperatures greater than 700 ℃ exhibited the same standard rhombohedral structure of Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄. Furthermore, the Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄:Eu³⁺, La³⁺ phosphor was effectively excited by near-ultraviolet light of 393 nm and blue light of 464 nm. The strong excitation peak at 464 nm corresponded to the ⁷F₀→⁵D₂ electron transition of Eu³⁺. The strong emission peak observed at 619 nm corresponded to the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ electron transition of Eu³⁺. Co-doping with La³⁺ significantly improved the emission intensity of Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ red phosphors. The optimum luminescence of the phosphor was observed at Eu³⁺ and La³⁺ concentrations of 5% and 6%, respectively. Moreover, co-doping with La³⁺ also improved the fluorescence lifetime and thermal stability of the Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor. The CIE chromaticity coordinate of Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄:0.05Eu³⁺, 0.06La³⁺ was closer to the NTSC standard for red phosphors than those of other commercial phosphors; moreover, it had greater color purity than that of all the samples tested. The red emission intensity of Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄:0.05Eu³⁺, 0.06La³⁺ at 619 nm was ~1.53 times that of Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄:0.05Eu³⁺ and 2.63 times that of SrS:Eu²⁺. The introduction of charge compensators could further increase the emission intensity of Ca₃Sr₃(VO₄)₄:Eu³⁺, La³⁺ red phosphors. The phosphors synthesized herein are promising red-emitting phosphors for applications in white light-emitting diodes under irradiation by blue chips.     

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.     

Facile synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of siliconitride phosphors for white light‐emitting diodes

A modified chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique is used to synthesize the color‐tunable siliconitride Sr_2‐1.5x‐yCe_xEu_ySi₅N₈ (x = 0.000‐0.016 and y = 0.000‐0.020) phosphors. In comparison with the conventional solid‐state method, the CVD approach successfully improved the crystallinity, particle size distribution, and photoluminescence through the enhanced gas‐solid reaction. Under blue excitation, Sr_1.98Eu_0.02Si₅N₈ exhibited a red emission band at 618 nm. The incorporation of Ce³⁺ ions increased the emission intensity of Eu²⁺ ions by approximately 10% owing to the enhanced absorption and dipole‐dipole energy transfer process from Ce³⁺ to Eu²⁺ ions. It resulted in a shift of the emission colors from yellow to red region. The external and internal quantum efficiencies of Sr_1.906Ce_0.06Eu_0.004Si₅N₈ were calculated as 54% and 70%, respectively. The activation energy of thermal stability for Sr_1.906Ce_0.06Eu_0.004Si₅N₈ was evaluated as 0.31 eV. A white LED with a color rendering index of 80 and a CCT of 4964 K was successfully fabricated with the present phosphors. The current research demonstrated a new series of Sr₂Si₅N₈:Ce³⁺, Eu²⁺ phosphors with color‐tunability for fabricating white LEDs with high color‐rendering index.     

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.     

Synthesis,structure and luminescence of a high-purity and thermal-stable Sr9LiMg(PO4)7: Eu3+ red phosphor

Eu³⁺-activated Sr₉LiMg(PO₄)₇ phosphors, which presented bright red emissions mainly from the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions upon the near-ultraviolet excitation, were successfully synthesized in ambient atmosphere. The crystal structure, phase constitution, photoluminescent behaviors, decay time, internal quantum efficiency and thermal stability of the resultant phosphors were investigated in detail. Eu³⁺ ions are found to tend to occupy multiple Sr²⁺ sites, which are 7, 8 and 10-coordinated. The optimal doping concentration is 7 mol% and the electrical multipolar interaction contributed to the non-radiative energy transfer between Eu³⁺ ions in Sr₉LiMg(PO₄)₇ host lattices. Temperature-dependent PL spectra indicated Sr₉LiMg(PO₄)₇: Eu³⁺ possess excellent emission and color stability at elevated temperature. Fabricated single-chromatic LED prototype emit bright red light under 20 mA bias current, which demonstrates that Sr₉LiMg(PO₄)₇: Eu³⁺ phosphor is of great potential as converted phosphor in NUV LED application.     

Improving the luminescence properties and powder morphologies of red-emitting Sr0.8Ca0.19AlSiN3:0.01Eu2+ phosphors for high CRIs white LEDs by adding fluxes

Red-emitting Sr_0.8Ca_0.19AlSiN₃:0.01Eu²⁺ phosphor with halide fluxes for use in the production of white light-emitting diodes (white LEDs) with high-colour rendering indices (CRIs) was prepared through the high-temperature solid-state method. Fluoride (NaF, SrF₂, BaF₂, CaF₂, AlF₃·3H₂O and CeF₃), chloride (NH₄Cl, BaCl₂, MgCl₂, NaCl and LiCl) and composite fluxes (NaF + SrF₂, SrF₂+NH₄Cl and NaF + NH₄Cl) were applied in the phosphors. NaF, SrF₂, NH₄Cl and NaF + SrF₂ fluxes had prominent effects on the characteristics of Sr_0.8Ca_0.19AlSiN₃:0.01Eu²⁺ phosphors. Sr_0.8Ca_0.19AlSiN₃:0.01Eu²⁺ phosphors with various powder morphologies can be obtained through the addition of fluxes, which are conducive for phosphor formation. The powder morphologies of phosphors incorporated with NaF + SrF₂ were preferable to those of powders incorporated with other fluxes. This result indicated that the incorporation of NaF + SrF₂ into Sr_0.8Ca_0.19AlSiN₃:0.01Eu²⁺ yielded phosphors with high luminescent intensity and quantum efficiency, excellent thermal stability, narrow full widths at half-maximum (FWHM, 75.2 nm), uniform rod-like morphologies with large particle sizes (D₅₀ = 16.99 μm) and good particle dispersion. White LEDs with high CRIs were obtained by combining prepared phosphors (NaF + SrF₂ additive) with the commercial green-emitting phosphors Y₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ and (Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺. White LEDs with Y₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ and (Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ phosphors had correlated colour temperatures (CCTs) of 3064 and 3023 K, respectively, and CRIs of 81.8 and 92.4, respectively. Therefore, NaF + SrF₂ can be used as a favourable flux for the production of Sr_0.8Ca_0.19AlSiN₃:0.01Eu²⁺.     

Fluorescence properties with red-shift of Eu2+ emission in novel phosphor-silicate apatite Sr3LaNa(PO4)2SiO4 phosphors

A series of Eu²⁺-activated novel phosphor-silicate apatite Sr₃LaNa(PO₄)₂SiO₄ phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement, diffuse reflectance spectra, luminescent spectra, decay curves and thermal quenching properties were applied to characterize the obtained phosphors. The XRD result revealed that all the samples possessed only a single phase with hexagonal structure and the doping of Eu²⁺ ions were successfully incorporated into the crystal lattice. The reflectance spectra showed an obvious red-shift of the wavelength from 400 to 700 nm with increasing Eu²⁺ ion concentration. The three different crystallographic sites of Eu²⁺ ions had been confirmed by their lifetimes. All the samples exhibited broad absorption bands from 200 to 450 nm, revealing the phosphor-silicate phosphor interesting for application in the near-UV used phosphor-converted LED chips. These results suggested that the Eu²⁺-activated phosphor-silicate Sr₃LaNa(PO₄)₂SiO₄ phosphors have the potential for near-UV pumped white-light-emitting diodes (w-LEDs).     

Synthesis of (Sr0.85Zn0.15)3(PO4)2:Eu by a modified solid-state reaction and its luminescent properties for ultraviolet light emitting diodes

Using urea, boric acid and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as auxiliary reagents, the novel red emitting phosphors (Sr_0.85Zn_0.15)₃(PO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ have been successfully synthesized by a modified solid-state reaction. The material has potential application as a fluorescent material for ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). The dependence of the properties of (Sr_0.85Zn_0.15)₃(PO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ phosphors upon urea, boric acid and the PEG concentration and the quadric sintered temperature were investigated. The crystallization and particle sizes of (Sr_0.85Zn_0.15)₃(PO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ have been investigated by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Luminescent measurements showed that the phosphors can be efficiently excited by ultraviolet (UV) to visible region, emitting a red light with a peak wavelength of 616 nm. The results show that the boric acid, urea and the PEG were effective in improving the fluorescent intensity of (Sr_0.85Zn_0.15)₃(PO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ and the optimum molar ratio was 0.1, 8 and 0.021, respectively.     

Novel AMoO4:Eu3+ (A = Ca and Ba) optical thermometer: Investigation of effect of local ionic coordination environment on optical performance and temperature measurement sensitivity

A range of Eu³⁺-doped AMoO₄ (A = Ca and Ba) phosphors were successfully synthetized, and their crystal structures, optical performance, and temperature measurement sensitivities were investigated in detail. Peak doping concentration of CaMoO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor was 0.18, while peak doping concentration of BaMoO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor may be greater than 0.18. Then, temperature-dependent photoluminescence emission spectra of representative CaMoO₄:0.09Eu³⁺ and BaMoO₄:0.03Eu³⁺ phosphors were recorded. CaMoO₄:0.09Eu³⁺ phosphor exhibited abnormal thermal quenching, which was attributed to defects caused by heterovalent substitution of ions and increase in the temperature, and good thermal stability. Finally, the possibility of using both phosphors as optical thermometers was discussed, which exhibited good temperature sensitivity. However, CaMoO₄:0.09Eu³⁺ phosphor exhibited two peak absolute (Sa, 1.28 %K⁻¹ and 1.39 %K⁻¹) and relative sensitivities (Sr, 1.21 %K⁻¹ and 1.20 %K⁻¹). In addition, variation trend of Sr value with temperature was considerably peculiar. Two optimum Sa and Sr values were attributed to abnormal thermal quenching of CaMoO₄:0.09Eu³⁺ phosphor. Peak Sa and Sr values of BaMoO₄:0.03Eu³⁺ phosphor was 12.39 %K⁻¹ and 0.89 %K⁻¹, respectively. In addition, Sa of AMoO₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor was negatively related to Eu³⁺ central asymmetry, while peak Sr value was more inclined to appropriate ionic central asymmetry.     

White Light Emission from Sr2LiSiO4F:Sm3+,Tb3+ Phosphors Under Near‐UV Light Excitation

The Tb³⁺/Sm³⁺ codoped Sr₂LiSiO₄F white emitting phosphors were synthesized by a solid‐state reaction technique at high temperature. The X‐ray diffraction patterns, photoluminescence properties, and decay behaviors have been investigated. The Tb³⁺ emissions (blue and green) and Sm³⁺ emissions (orange) are both observed in the codoped samples Sr₂LiSiO₄F: 0.05Sm³⁺, xTb³⁺ by near‐UV light (370 nm) exciting. The white emission has been obtained by adjusting Tb³⁺ doping concentration at 5% (x = 0.05). These luminescent powders are expected to be a potential candidate as white emitting phosphor for near‐ultraviolet InGaN‐based white light‐emitting diodes.     

The composition engineering of red-emitting Eu3+-doped Ca10.5(PO4)7-type solid solution phosphors and application in LED

In this work, using Ca_10.5(PO₄)₇ as the structural model, a number of Eu³⁺-doped [Ca₉Na_3xY_1-x(PO₄)₇ (CNYP-I, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1/2) ← Ca_10.5(PO₄)₇ → Ca_9+yNa_3/2-y/2Y_(1-y)/2(PO₄)₇ (CNYP-II, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1)] phosphors were designed and synthesized through the heterovalent substitution of Y³⁺ and Na⁺ to Ca²⁺. The substitution mechanism, composition structure, luminescence performance, and thermal stability of Eu³⁺-doped CNYP-I (0 ≤ x ≤ 1/2) as well as the solid solutions of CNYP-II (0 ≤ y ≤ 1), were discussed in detail. The morphology and element composition of CNYP-I (0 ≤ x ≤ 1/2) and CNYP-II (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) solid solutions were analyzed by SEM and EDS. The PL spectra of the specimens were containing the predominant red peak of emission at 612 nm caused via the transition of ⁵D₀-⁷F₂, indicating that Eu³⁺ occupies the low-symmetry center. Moreover, the site symmetry Eu³⁺ occupied changed with the x/y value. The luminous intensity of Eu³⁺-doped CNYP-I (0 ≤ x ≤ 1/2) and CNYP-II (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) phosphors at 150°C maintained about 60% of room temperature. The representative compound CNYP-I (x = 1/3) was used as the red phosphor to prepare a near-UV based white LEDs along with Ra of 80.9 and CCT of 4100 K.     

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.