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.     

Synthesis,photoluminescence properties and energy transfer behavior of color-tunable fluorapatite phosphor Sr9Gd(PO4)5(SiO4)F2:Tb3+/Sm3+

Tb³⁺-Sm³⁺ co-doped Sr₉Gd(PO₄)₅(SiO₄)F₂ (SGPSF) phosphors were prepared through a solid-state reaction, and their luminescence properties as well as energy transfer mechanism have been investigated in detail. The SGPSF:Tb³⁺, Sm³⁺ phosphors system could be efficiently excited at wavelengths ranging from 200 to 500 nm, which is well matched with the spectra of near ultraviolet chips. The emission of SGPSF:Tb³⁺, Sm³⁺ phosphor covers the entire visible region with sharp peaks in the blue, green, and red regions. The emission color of SGPSF:Tb³⁺, Sm³⁺ could be adjusted from green (0.275, 0.378) to red (0.519, 0.295) by controlling the doping content of Sm³⁺/Tb³⁺.     

Multicolour tunable luminescence of thermal-stable Ce3+/Tb3+/Eu3+-triactivated Ca3Gd(GaO)3(BO3)4 phosphors via Ce3+ → Tb3+ → Eu3+ energy transfer for near-UV WLEDs applications

A series of single-component blue, green and red phosphors have been fabricated based on the Ca₃Gd(GaO)₃(BO₃)₄ host through doping of the Ce³⁺/Tb³⁺/Eu³⁺ ions, and their crystal structure and photoluminescence properties have been discussed in detail. A terbium bridge model via Ce³⁺ → Tb³⁺ → Eu³⁺ energy transfer has been studied. The emission colours of the phosphors can be tuned from blue (0.1661, 0.0686) to green (0.3263, 0.4791) and eventually to red (0.5284, 0.4040) under a single 344 nm UV excitation as the result of the Ce³⁺ → Tb³⁺ → Eu³⁺ energy transfer. The energy transfer mechanisms of Ce³⁺ → Tb³⁺ and Tb³⁺ → Eu³⁺ were found to be dipole-dipole interactions. Importantly, Ca₃Gd(GaO)₃(BO₃)_4:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺,Eu³⁺ phosphors had high internal quantum efficiency. Moreover, the study on the temperature-dependent emission spectra revealed that the Ca₃Gd(GaO)₃(BO₃)_4:Ce³⁺,Tb³⁺,Eu³⁺ phosphors possessed good thermal stability. The above results indicate that the phosphors can be applied into white light-emitting diodes as single-component multi-colour phosphors.     

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.     

Near-UV light excited Eu3+, Tb3+, Bi3+ co-doped LaPO4 phosphors: Synthesis and enhancement of red emission for WLEDs

A series of single-phase Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Bi³⁺ co-doped LaPO₄ phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction at 800 °C. Crystal structures of the phosphors were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A monoclinic phase was confirmed. The excitation (PLE) and emission (PL) spectra showed that the phosphors could emit red light centered at 591 nm under the 392 nm excitation, which is in good agreement with the emission wavelength from near-ultraviolet (n-UV) LED chip (370–410 nm). The results of PLE and PL indicated that the co-doped Tb³⁺ and Bi³⁺could enhance emission of Eu³⁺ and the fluorescent intensities of the phosphors excited at 392 nm could reach to a maximum value when the doping molar concentration of Tb³⁺ and Bi³⁺ is about 2.0% and 2.0%, respectively. The co-doping Tb³⁺ and Bi³⁺ ions can strengthen the absorption of near UV region. They can also be efficient to sensitize the emission of Eu³⁺, indicating that the energy transfer occurs from Tb³⁺ and Bi³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ions. From further investigation it can be found that co-doping Tb³⁺ and Bi³⁺ ions can also induce excitation energy reassignment between ⁵D₀–⁷F₁ and ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ in these phosphors, and result in more energy assignment to ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ emission in LaPO₄:Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Bi³⁺. Our research results displayed that La_0.94PO₄:Eu³⁺_0.02, Tb³⁺_0.02, Bi³⁺_0.02 could be a new one and could provide a potential red-emitting phosphor for UV-based white LED.     

Warm white-light generation in Ca9MgNa(PO4)7:Sr2+, Mn2+, Ln (Ln=Eu2+, Yb3+, Er3+, Ho3+, and Tm3+) under near-ultraviolet and near-infrared excitation

To obtain warm white-light emission, a series of Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇:Sr²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ln (Ln=Eu²⁺, Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Ho³⁺, and Tm³⁺) phosphors were designed and their photoluminescence properties under near-ultraviolet and near-infrared excitation were studied. For near-ultraviolet excitation, blue-white emission is produced initially in the Eu²⁺ single-doped Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇, whose excitation band can well match with the near ultraviolet LED chip. By introducing Sr²⁺ ions into Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺, the Eu²⁺ emission band beyond 500 nm is enhanced obviously. Correspondingly, the emitting light color is tuned to nearly white. To generate warm white light further, Mn²⁺ is doped into the Ca_8.055MgNa(PO₄)₇:0.045Eu²⁺, 0.9Sr²⁺ and the correlated color temperature is decreased largely. For near-infrared excitation, the green, red, and blue emissions have been obtained in the Yb³⁺-Er³⁺, Yb³⁺-Er³⁺, and Yb³⁺-Er³⁺ co-doped Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇ phosphors, respectively. And warm white light is also produced in the Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Ho³⁺, Tm³⁺ under 980 nm excitation.     

Luminescence properties of Eu2+ and Mn2+ doped Sr1.7Mg0.3SiO4 phosphors

Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ doped Sr_1.7Mg_0.3SiO₄ phosphors were prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction method. Their luminescence properties were studied. The emission spectra of Eu²⁺ singly doped Sr_1.7Mg_0.3SiO₄ consist of a blue band (455 nm) and a green band (550 nm). The relative intensities of two emissions varied with Eu²⁺ concentration. Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ co-doped Sr_1.7Mg_0.3SiO₄ phosphors emit three color lights and present whitish color. The blue (455 nm) and green (550 nm) emissions are attributed to the transitions of Eu²⁺, while the red (670 nm) emission is originated from the transition of Mn²⁺ ion. The results indicate the energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺. The mechanism of the energy transfer is resonance-type energy transfer due to the spectral overlap between the emission of Eu²⁺and the absorption of Mn²⁺.     

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.     

Red,green and blue-violet emission coexistence in white-light-emitting Ca3SiO4Cl2:Bi3+, Li+, Eu2+, Eu3+ phosphor

A series of emission-tunable Ca₃SiO₄Cl₂:Bi³⁺, Li⁺, Euⁿ⁺(n =2, 3) (CSC:Bi³⁺, Li⁺, Euⁿ⁺) phosphors have been synthesized via sol-gel method. The X-ray diffraction results indicate that the as-synthesized phosphors crystallize in a low temperature phase with the space group of P21/c. Energy transfer from Bi³⁺ to Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺ exists in CSC:Bi³⁺, Li⁺, Euⁿ⁺ phosphors. Under the excitation of 327 or 365 nm, the Ca_2.98−ySiO₄Cl₂:0.01Bi³⁺, 0.01Li⁺, yEuⁿ⁺(y=0.0001–0.002) phosphors show an intense green emission band around 505 nm, while under the excitation of 264 nm, three emission bands centered around 396 nm (Bi³⁺), 505 nm (Eu²⁺) and 614 nm (Eu³⁺) are observed and tunable colors from blue-violet to green or white are achieved in these phosphors by varying the content of Eu. White-light emission with the color coordinate (0.312, 0.328) is obtained in Ca_2.978SiO₄Cl₂:0.01Bi³⁺, 0.01Li⁺, 0.002Euⁿ⁺(n =2, 3). Based on these results, the as-prepared CSC:Bi³⁺, Li⁺, Eu²⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors can act as color-tunable and single-phase white emission phosphors for potential applications in UV-excited white LEDs.     

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.     

Color tuning in (Ca1−xSrx)8MgLu(PO4)7:Eu2+,Mn2+ phosphor via host composition design and energy transfer

In this work, a series of Eu²⁺-doped (Ca_1−xSr_x)₈MgLu(PO₄)₇ and Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺-codoped Ca_6.5Sr_1.5MgLu(PO₄)₇ phosphors were prepared via the combustion-assisted solid-state reaction process. XRD patterns and Rietveld refinements were used to verify the incorporations of Sr into Ca₈MgLu(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺. Upon the same excitation wavelength of 380 nm, the emission peaks of Eu²⁺-doped (Ca_1−xSr_x)₈MgLu(PO₄)₇ (0≤x≤1) phosphors red-shifted from 453 to 519 nm with increasing Sr/Ca ratio. The red-shift of the Eu²⁺ emission with increasing Sr/Ca ratio was ascribed to the change of Eu²⁺ emission at different lattice sites. With variation of the Mn²⁺ content, the emission color of Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺ codoped Ca_6.5Sr_1.5MgLu(PO₄)₇ phosphors exhibited the luminescence tunable from greenish blue to white and eventually to red. The energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ in Ca_6.5Sr_1.5MgLu(PO₄)₇ host matrix was demonstrated to be of a resonant type via a dipole- dipole mechanism with the critical distance of ∼16.7 Å. By the Sr substitution for Ca and properly tuning by the relative composition change of Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺, chromaticity coordinates of (0.329, 0.326) can be reached at near UV light excitation. The combination of host composition design and energy transfer may provide a novel strategy to obtain white light and tunable luminescence.     

Preparation,luminescence properties and energy transfer of Ca9Y(PO4)7: Eu2+‐Tb3+ phosphors

Tb³⁺‐doped and Eu²⁺, Tb³⁺ co‐doped Ca₉Y(PO₄)₇ phosphors were synthesized by conventional solid‐state method. Additionally, the luminescence properties, decay behavior and energy transfer mechanism have already been investigated in detail. The green emission intensity of Tb³⁺ ions under NUV excitation is weak due to its spin‐forbidden f‐f transition. While Eu²⁺ can efficiently absorb NUV light and yield broad blue emission, most of which can be absorbed by Tb³⁺ ions. Thus, the emission color can be easily tuned from cyan to green through the energy transfer of Eu²⁺→Tb³⁺ in Ca₉Y(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphor. In this work, the phenomenon of cross‐relaxation between ⁵D₃ and ⁵D₄ are also mentioned. The energy transfer is confirmed to be resulted from a quadrupole‐quadrupole mechanism.     

Tunable single-phase white-light-emitting Ba2Mg(BO3)2:Ce3+, Na+, Tb3+, Eu2+ phosphor based on energy transfer

A series of white-light-emitting phosphors of single-phase Ba₂Mg(BO₃)₂:Ce³⁺, Na⁺, Tb³⁺, Eu²⁺ were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. The crystal structure of the host was characterized by X-ray diffraction and investigated by Rietveld refinement. Photoluminescence properties were studied in detail. The energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ in Ba₂Mg(BO₃)₂ host was investigated and demonstrated to be a resonant type via a quadrupole–quadrupole mechanism. White light with wavelength tunable was realized by coupling the emission bands peaking at 417, 543 and 626 nm attributed to Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Eu²⁺, respectively. By properly tuning the relative composition of Ce³⁺(Na⁺)/Tb³⁺/Eu²⁺, optimized Commission Internationale de l׳Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates (0.363, 0.295), high color rendering index (CRI) 90 and low correlated color temperature (CCT) 3793 K were obtained from the phosphor of Ba_1.90Ce_0.04Na_0.04Eu_0.02Mg_0.94Tb_0.06(BO₃)₂ upon the excitation of 296 nm UV radiation. These results indicate that Ba₂Mg(BO₃)₂:Ce³⁺, Na⁺, Tb³⁺, Eu²⁺ phosphor has a potential application as an UV radiation down-converting phosphor in white-light-emitting diodes.     

Crystal structure,luminescent properties and white light emitting diode application of Ba3GdNa(PO4)3F:Eu2+ single-phase white light-emitting phosphor

A series of single-phase white-light-emitting phosphors, Eu²⁺-activated Ba₃GdNa(PO₄)₃F phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reactions. The crystal structure of Ba₃GdNa(PO₄)₃F was been identified by Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction pattern. The Eu²⁺-activated Ba₃GdNa(PO₄)₃F phosphors exhibit broad excitation spectra from 250 to 420 nm, which matched well with the n-UV LED chips. Under the excitation of 365 nm, the emission spectrum almost covered the entire visible region including two emission bands peaked at 472 nm and 640 nm. Three different Eu²⁺ emission centers in Ba₃GdNa(PO₄)₃F:Eu²⁺ phosphor were confirmed by their fluorescence decay lifetimes. The optimal concentration of Eu²⁺ in Ba₃GdNa(PO₄)₃F:xEu²⁺ was 3 mol% and the corresponding concentration quenching mechanism was verified to be exchange coupling interaction. Furthermore, the white light-emitting diode fabricated with Ba₃GdNa(PO₄)₃F:0.05Eu²⁺ phosphor and a 370 nm UV chip has a CIE of (0.3267, 0.2976) with a color-rendering index of 78.4 at the CCT of 5287 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.     

Luminescence properties and energy transfer of GdAl3(BO3)4:Ce3+, Tb3+ phosphor

Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ singly doped and co-doped GdAl₃(BO₃)₄ phosphors were synthesized by solid state reaction. The crystal structure, the luminescent properties, the lifetimes and the temperature-dependent luminescence characteristic of the phosphors were investigated. Through an effective energy transfer, the emission spectra of GdAl₃(BO₃)₄:Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ phosphor contains both a broad band in the range of 330–400 nm originated from Ce³⁺ ions and a series of sharp peaks at 484, 541, 583, and 623 nm due to Tb³⁺ ions. The energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ in GdAl₃(BO₃)₄ host is demonstrated to be phonon assisted nonradiative energy transfer via a dipole–dipole interaction.     

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.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Sr3(PO4)2:Re3+, Li+ (Re = Eu,Sm) red phosphors for white light-emitting diodes

Sr₃(PO₄)₂:Re³⁺, Li⁺ (Re = Eu, Sm) red phosphors were prepared via a high temperature solid state reaction, and their structure and luminescence properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the phase of as-prepared samples is in good agreement with standard Sr₃(PO₄)₂ structure. Under 395 nm excitation, the emission of Sr₃(PO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ consists of a strong peak centered at 622 nm and two weak peaks centered at 598 nm and 660 nm, which correspond to ⁵D₀→⁷F₂, ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ and ⁵D₀→⁷F₃ transitions, respectively. Also, the emission spectrum of Sr₃(PO₄)₂:Sm³⁺ shows three main peaks at 568 nm, 603 nm and 651 nm, which are attributed to ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_I/2 (I = 5, 7, 9) transitions of Sm³⁺. Furthermore, luminescence properties of Sr₃(PO₄)₂:Re³⁺, Li⁺ (Re = Eu, Sm) samples are enhanced significantly by Li⁺ ions doping as charge compensator. Results indicate that as-prepared Sr₃(PO₄)₂:Re³⁺, Li⁺ (Re = Eu, Sm) could be the potential red phosphors used in white light-emitting diodes.     

Tuning the Color Emission of Sr2P2O7: Tb3+, Eu3+ Phosphors Based on Energy Transfer

A series of color tunable Tb³⁺‐ and Eu³⁺‐activated Sr₂P₂O₇ phosphors were synthesized by a traditional solid‐state reaction method in air atmosphere. The crystal structure, photoluminescence (PL) properties, energy transfer, thermal stability, and luminous efficiency were investigated. A series of characteristic emission of Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ were observed in the PL spectra and the variation in the emission intensities of the three emission peaks at around 416 nm (blue), 545 nm (green), and 593 nm (orange‐red) induced the multicolor emission evolution by tuning the Tb³⁺/Eu³⁺ content ratio. The energy‐transfer mechanism from Tb³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ion was determined to be dipole–dipole interaction, and the energy‐transfer efficiency was about 90%. The novel phosphors have excellent thermal stability in the temperature range of 77–473 K and the Commission International De L'Eclairage 1931 chromaticity coordinates of Sr₂P₂O₇: Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺ (λ_ex = 378 nm) move toward the ideal white light coordinates.     

Size controllable synthesis and multicolor fluorescence of SiO2:Ln3+(Ln=Eu,Tb) spherical nanoparticles

A series of size controllable Tb³⁺ and/or Eu³⁺ activated nano-sized silica phosphors have been successfully synthesized through a facile sol-gel method. The structure, morphology, compositions, and luminescence properties of as-prepared samples were well investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results showed that all as-prepared samples were spherical nanoparticles but the sizes reduced gradually with the temperature increased from 25 °C to 65 °C, which was contrary to the BET surfaces as well as the luminescence intensity. Under ultraviolet excitation, the SiO₂:Ln³⁺(Ln=Eu, Tb) spherical nanoparticles showed characteristic red and green emissions corresponding to f-f transition of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺, respectively. Moreover, the luminescence emissions of samples can be tuned from green to yellow, orange and red by co-doping the Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions in different concentration ratio into the SiO₂ host due to the efficient dipole–dipole energy transfer mechanism from Tb³⁺ to Eu³⁺ under 377 nm excitation. These results show that as-prepared phosphors may find potential applications in color display fields.