Enhanced luminescence of a Eu3+-activated double perovskite (Na,Li)LaMgWO6 phosphor based on A site inducing energy transfer

Li⁺ ion substituted Na_1−xLi_xLa_0.95Eu_0.05MgWO₆ phosphors were successfully synthesized by an improved sol-gel method using citric acid and polyethylene glycol as complexing agents. The structural evolution was systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction with Rietveld structure refinement and Raman spectra. The layered ordering of A-site cations and a second-order Jahn-Teller distortion of B’ cations simultaneously existed in this double perovskite. The decreased symmetry and lattice parameters within the same space group C2/m were observed from the Li⁺ substituted powders. Upon increasing the Li⁺ concentration, the absorption intensities of the 4f−4f transitions of Eu³⁺ monotonically increased. Likewise, the intensity of ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ monotonically increased under the excitations of both near-ultraviolet and blue light, with an enhancement of ten- and six-fold, respectively. The relative intensity ratio of red/orange emissions gradually increased, and the CIE chromaticity coordinates gradually approached those of standard red light. “A site inducing energy transfer” in double perovskite was achieved by selecting a substitution element with a small radius.     

Up-conversion luminescence and temperature-sensing properties of Li+, K+ doped Na2Zn3Si2O8: Er3+ phosphors

In this work we detail the preparation of new luminescent Li⁺ and K⁺ doped Na₂Zn₃Si₂O₈: Er³⁺ up-conversion phosphors using the high-temperature solid-phase method. We investigate the phosphors phase structure, elemental distribution, up-conversion luminescence characteristics and temperature sensing properties. Our fabricated samples were found to be homogeneous and when excited using 980 nm light, they emitted wavelengths in the green and red visible wavelength bands, which correspond to two major emission bands of Er³⁺. Doping with Li⁺ and K⁺ increased the luminescence intensity of the Na₂Zn₃Si₂O₈: Er³⁺ phosphor at 661 nm by 36 and 21 times respectively. The highest relative temperature sensitivity (Sa) of the fabricated phosphor reached a value of 19.69% K^?1 and the highest absolute temperature sensitivity (Sr) reached 1.20% K^?1. These values are superior to other materials which utilize up-conversion by Er³⁺ ions as a tool for temperature sensing. We anticipate that these new phosphors will find significant application as components in optical temperature measurement systems.     

Photoluminescence enhancement of novel K(Y,Lu)CaWO6: Eu3+ red phosphor prepared by controllable citrate-EDTA complexing method

Novel double-perovskite K(Y_0.95-xLu_xEu_0.05)CaWO₆ red phosphors were successfully prepared by the controllable citrate-EDTA complexing method. XRD with structure refinement, FTIR, Raman and photoluminescence spectra were combined to systematically investigate the structure parameters and luminescence properties of prepared phosphors. The substitution of Lu³⁺ with smaller ionic radius resulted in the lower symmetry even with the same space group of C2/m, which was also directly observed from the red shift and splitting of Raman T_2?g(1) mode. The concentration higher than x?=?0.6 made the intensity alteration in the excitation spectra from charge transfer band to 4f?4f of Eu³⁺. The obvious enhancements of red emission at 615?nm were obtained under both blue and ultraviolet lights, respectively, and reached almost the same intensity at x?=?0.6. Meanwhile, the more standard red light could be found by the gradual shifts of CIE chromaticity coordinates and bigger ratio of red/orange emission. The substitution of Lu³⁺ improved the quality and emission intensity of red light of this double perovskite system and the composition optimized phosphor of K(Y_0.35Lu_0.6Eu_0.05)CaWO₆ exhibited great potential in the application of white LEDs.     

Design of a europium-activated lithium-silicate cyan phosphor via cation substitution

Lithium-containing silicates have been considered as a considerable alternative for luminescent materials. In this study, a novel cyan-emitting phosphor, Na₃LiHf₂Si₃O₁₂: Eu²⁺, was successfully synthesized via cationic substitution with Na₄Hf₂Si₃O₁₂: Eu²⁺ as the initial model. The crystal structure, morphology, and luminescence performance of Na_4-xLi_xHf₂Si₃O₁₂: Eu²⁺ were investigated in detail. The substitution of Li⁺ for Na⁺ site causes a significant blue-shift of the emission band in the range of 550–500 nm and a smaller full width at half maximum. As a result, a cyan phosphor Na₃LiHf₂Si₃O₁₂: Eu²⁺ that can be effectively excited by near-ultraviolet and high-energy beams is obtained. The mechanism of emission regulation was proposed based on the transformation of crystal structure and luminescence performance. In addition, the thermal quenching and cathodoluminescence behaviors were also studied. The results show that cation substitution is an effective method to design new lithium-containing silicate phosphors.     

Enhanced Optical Properties of Bredigite‐Structure Ca13.7Eu0.3Mg2[SiO4]8 Phosphor: Effective Eu Reduction by La Co‐Doping

A green phosphor, La_0.4Ca_13.3Eu_0.3Mg₂Si₈O_31.6+δN_0.4?δ (LaCMSN:Eu²⁺), was prepared by a solid‐state reaction and an efficient green emission was observed at 506 nm under near‐ultraviolet (NUV) excitation. The structural and optical properties of LaCMSN:Eu²⁺ phosphors as well as their thermal quenching were investigated. The partial substitution of La³⁺ and N^3? in Ca_13.7Eu_0.3Mg₂Si₈O₃₂ led to a considerable enhancement in the peak emission intensity by as much as 194%. This demonstrates not only that the total number of Eu²⁺ activators increased, but also that the probability of a nonradiative transition between Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ could be reduced as the increase in concentration of the former is at the expense of the later. The white light‐emitting diode (LED) was fabricated using phosphor with a NUV LED chip. The LED showed warm white light with an excellent color rendering index of 91. The LaCMSN:Eu²⁺ is thus a potential green‐emitting phosphor for 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.     

Cation vacancy repair towards a new yellow Ca7Sr3Na(PO4)7:Eu2+ phosphor

Cationic substitution is a prevalent strategy to tune the luminescence spectra of phosphors. In this work, we reported a series of Eu²⁺-activated whitlockite type Ca₇Sr_3.5-0.5xA_x(PO₄)₇ (CSPA; A =Li, Na, K) (x = 0–1.00) phosphors. The substitution by Na⁺ for both half occupied/vacant M(4) site was verified via Raman spectra, Reitveld refinement and HR-TEM, whereas a similar accommodation of K⁺ into the Ca₂Sr(PO₄)₂ (CSP) host cannot be realized due to the significant size mismatch. A continuous increase of Na⁺ contents led to the progressively structural contraction, promoting the migration of Eu²⁺ activator from looser M(4) to other sites, and regulating the luminescence behaviors. Consequently, the gradual red-shift of emission band terminated at a new yellow phosphor Ca₇Sr₃Na(PO₄)₇:0.04Eu²⁺. The cation vacancy repair developed in this work can not only migrate the Eu²⁺ activator among different cation sites, but also serves as a new strategy for tuning the luminescence properties of phosphor.     

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.     

Garnet-based red emitting phosphors Li6MLa2Nb2O12: Eu (M=Ca,Sr, Ba): Photoluminescence improvement by changing crystal lattice

A series of novel red emitting phosphors Li₆M(La_1−xEu_x)₂Nb₂O₁₂ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba; 0≤x≤0.3) were synthesized by solid state reaction, and their structures and photoluminescence properties were investigated in detail. The excitation spectrum of Li₆M(La_1−xEu_x)₂Nb₂O₁₂ revealed two mainly excitation bands at 393 nm and 464 nm, which match well with the two popular emissions from near-UV and blue LED chips. Upon the 464 nm light excitation, Li₆MLa₂Nb₂O₁₂:Eu³⁺ phosphors exhibit a red emission centered at 608 nm, originated from the ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. The Eu³⁺ surrounding crystal lattice environment in the garnet-based host was changed by altering the c sites element with different radii alkaline earth Ba, Sr, and Ca. The evident photoluminescence enhancement was observed in Li₆M(La_1−xEu_x)₂Nb₂O₁₂ phosphors with the decreasing of the c sites ionic radius. The emission intensity of the optimized Li₆Ca(La_0.8Eu_0.2)₂Nb₂O₁₂ (λ_exc=464 nm) phosphor is about two times higher than that of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ (λ_exc=467 nm) under blue light excitation. In addition, the quenching mechanism and the relationship between the structure and photoluminescence property were also discussed.     

Eu3+-activated double perovskite Sr3MoO6 phosphors with excellent color purity for high CRI WLEDs and flexible display film

A red-emitting Eu³⁺-activated double perovskite Sr₃MoO₆ phosphor material was successfully synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction. Upon 353 and 467 nm excitations, the prepared phosphors exhibited the feature emission properties of Eu³⁺ ions with the corresponding characteristic electronic transitions. The concentration quenching of Eu³⁺ ions was found at 30 mol% and the quadrupole-quadrupole interaction was dominant in quenching process. The chromaticity coordinates for the optimal doping concentration of Eu³⁺ ions under the 353 and 467 nm excitations were in the pure red region, while the color purity was calculated to be about 94.536 and 94.780%, respectively. The superior luminescence properties of the red-emitting Sr₃MoO₆:0.3Eu³⁺ phosphor were achieved and with further blending with commercial phosphors, the white light-emitting diode (WLED) devices were fabricated for practical application. The fabricated WLED device based on 385 nm near-ultraviolet (NUV) chip revealed the color-rendering index and color temperature values of 90.96 and 6381 K, respectively. And the soft polydimethylsiloxane film emitted the pure red region under NUV light. These results suggest that this kind of material could be a promising red-emitting phosphor for WLEDs and flexible display film.     

Far‐Red‐Emitting BiOCl:Eu3+ Phosphor with Excellent Broadband NUV‐Excitation for White‐Light‐Emitting Diodes

Rare‐earth ion‐doped semiconducting phosphor has attracted extensive attention due to the ability to achieve efficient luminescence through the host sensitization. Here, we present a new type red‐emitting Eu³⁺ ‐doped BiOCl phosphors possessing a broad excitation band in the near‐ultraviolet (NUV) region. Experimental measurements and theoretical calculations confirm that Eu³⁺ ion dopants result in forming impurity energy level near valence band, and the excellent broadband NUV‐exciting ability of Eu³⁺ ion is due to the electronic transitions of BiOCl band gap. Moreover, the highest emission intensity of the phosphors is from the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₄ transition of Eu³⁺ around 699 nm (far‐red) through whether host excitation or direct Eu³⁺ ions excitation, which lie in the particular structure of BiOCl crystals. Our results indicate that the Eu³⁺ ‐doped BiOCl crystals show great potential as red phosphors for white‐light‐emitting diodes.     

High luminescent brightness and thermal stability of red emitting Li3Ba2Y3(WO4)8:Eu3+ phosphor

A series of Li₃Ba₂Y_3−x(WO₄)₈:xEu³⁺ (x=0.1, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.8) phosphors were synthesized by a high temperature solid-state reaction method. Under the excitation of near ultraviolet (NUV) light, the as-prepared phosphor exhibits intense red luminescence originating from the characteristic transitions of Eu³⁺ ions, which is 1.8 times as strong as the commercial Y₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ phosphor. The optimal doping concentration of Eu³⁺ ions here is confirmed as x=1.5. The electric dipole-quadrupole (D-Q) interaction is deduced to be responsible for concentration quenching of Eu³⁺ ions in the Li₃Ba₂Y₃(WO₄)₈ phosphor. The analysis of optical transition and Huang-Rhys factor reveals a weak electron-phonon coupling interaction. The temperature-dependent emission spectra also indicate that the as-prepared Li₃Ba₂Y₃(WO₄)₈:Eu³⁺ phosphor has better thermal stability than that of the commercial Y₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ phosphor. Therefore, our results show that the as-prepared Li₃Ba₂Y₃(WO₄)₈:Eu³⁺ phosphor is a promising candidate as red emitting component for white light emitting diodes (LEDs).     

Enhancing emission intensity and thermal stability by charge compensation in Sr2Mg3P4O15:Eu3+

Charge compensation was the effective methods to enhance the luminescence properties of phosphors. In this paper, novel single‐phased orange light emitting Sr₂Mg₃P₄O₁₅:Eu³⁺ phosphors were prepared by solid state method. The phase purity and luminous characteristics were examined in detail. Meanwhile, three kinds of charge compensation methods (co‐doping the alkali metal R⁺ (R⁺ = Li, Na, and K), substituting Si⁴⁺ for P⁵⁺ and self‐compensation) were employed to solve the charge imbalance problem between Sr²⁺ and Eu³⁺. The results showed that emission intensity of Eu³⁺ was improved by 1.43 (Li⁺), 1.58 (Na⁺), 1.53 (K⁺), 1.61 (Si⁴⁺), and 1.30 (self) times than that of Sr_1.6Mg₃P₄O₁₅:0.40Eu³⁺, respectively, and there was no change in the emitting color simultaneously. Furthermore, as the temperature reached at 423 K, the emission intensity increased from 41.67% of Sr_1.6Mg₃P₄O₁₅:0.40Eu³⁺ to 55.69% (Li⁺), 61.62% (Na⁺), 58.98% (K⁺), 71.15% (Si⁴⁺), and 80.59% (self) of that at room temperature. The reasons of those phenomena were the reduction in ion vacancies caused by charge imbalance through the charge compensation process. The specific mechanisms were elaborated in detail. Overall, this research validated that the charge compensation strategies could be severed as the key method to improve the luminescence properties, especially the thermal stability of phosphor.     

Improved photoluminescence,thermal stability and temperature sensing performances of K+ incorporated perovskite BaTiO3:Eu3+ red emitting phosphors

K⁺ ions incorporated perovskite Ba_(1−x)TiO₃:x Eu³⁺ red emitting phosphors synthesized via facile solid -state reaction method has been investigated in the current study. The photoluminescence and decay time behavior of Ba_(1−x−y)TiO₃:x Eu³⁺,yK⁺ phosphors are investigated as a function of Eu³⁺, K⁺ concentration and temperature. An intense and sharp emission peak at 615 nm was exhibited by the phosphors upon excitation at 397 nm (⁷F₀→⁵L₆). It can be credited to the hypersensitive electric dipole transition ⁵D₀→⁷F₂, which confirms that Eu³⁺ ions are located at non-centrosymmetric site of the host. The incorporation of K⁺ ions in optimized Ba_0.95TiO₃:0.05 Eu³⁺ phosphor resulted in a remarkable enhancement of photoluminescence intensity by 2.33 times as compared to bare one. The Ba_0.89TiO₃:0.05 Eu³⁺, 0.06 K⁺ phosphors were found to observe good temperature sensing along with adequate thermal stability even at 427 K. Furthermore, the photometric parameters have been also studied which are strongly facilitate the prepared ceramic samples as suitable for potential application in lighting.     

The doping concentration dependent tunable yellow luminescence of Sr5(PO4)2(SiO4):Eu

Color tunable yellow-emitting phosphors of Sr_5−5xEu_5x(PO₄)₂SiO₄ (x = 0.05-0.15) were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns, the photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra were measured. The main excitation bands of the phosphors locate at a broad band extending from 300 to 500 nm, which can match the emission of ultraviolet- and blue-emitting diode chips. The tunable luminescence color was realized by the changing Eu²⁺ doping in Sr₅(PO₄)₂SiO₄. The structure and luminescence properties were investigated. Sr_5−5x(PO₄)₂SiO₄:Eu_5x displays two typical luminescence centers, which originate from two different Sr²⁺ (Eu²⁺) sites in the host. The site-occupation, the luminescence intensity and energy transfer between the Eu²⁺ ions occupying two different crystallographic Sr²⁺ sites were discussed on the base of the luminescence spectra and crystal structure. This is helpful to improve this phosphor for a potential application as a white light emitting diode phosphor.     

Structure and Luminescence Characteristics of Eu3+‐Activated Trigonal Layered Perovskite Ba2La2ZnW2O12

Eu³⁺‐doped tungstate Ba₂La₂ZnW₂O₁₂ phosphors with perovskite‐structure were prepared by the high temperature solid‐state reaction. The X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns and structure refinements indicate that the phosphors crystalized in the trigonal layer‐perovskite. The luminescence properties of the phosphors were investigated such as photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, decay lifetimes, and color coordinates. It was found that the pure host shows self‐activated emission excited by the UV light. Moreover, Ba₂La₂ZnW₂O₁₂ also shows scintillation characteristics under the X‐ray irradiation. The near‐UV and blue light can efficiently excite Eu³⁺‐doped Ba₂La₂ZnW₂O₁₂ phosphors inducing the strong orange–red luminescence. The optimal Eu³⁺ doping concentration in this host is 40 mol%. The luminescence spectra and the luminescence color of the phosphors strongly depend on the doping levels and excitation wavelength. The different luminescence features were discussed on the base of crystal structure. Eu³⁺ ions have two possible substitutions on A or B sites in this trigonal layered perovskite. The phosphor could act as a candidate for the potential application in near‐UV excited white‐LEDs lighting.     

Insight into the evolution mechanism of carbon film and Eu valence in carbon coated BaMgAl10O17: Eu2+ phosphor annealed in air

Performing carbon coating on the surface of phosphors has been proven to be an effective strategy to enhance the oxidation resistance, which is an important factor to achieve stable luminescent devices. Therefore, a good understanding of the protection mechanism favors a continuous improvement of oxidation resistance of phosphors. In present paper, the evolution of the carbon layer, Eu valence (Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺), and luminescent properties for the C coated BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇: Eu²⁺ phosphor when annealed at high temperature is investigated carefully. Decrease of carbon layer promotes the appearance color transition from black to white as the annealing temperature rises to 1000?°C in air. As expected, the decrease of carbon layer will enhance the luminescence intensity, but risk the possible oxidation of Eu²⁺ to Eu³⁺, which inhibits the blue emission ascribed to Eu²⁺. The results indicate that luminescence intensity of phosphor is dependent on the synergistic effect of carbon thickness and Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ ratio. Additionally, a reduction reaction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ is observed in C coated BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇: Eu²⁺ phosphor when annealed at high temperature, which also contributes to the higher luminescence intensity.     

Tunable luminescence properties and efficient energy transfer in Eu,Mn co-doped Ba2MgP4O13

A series of Ba₂Mg_1−xMn_xP₄O₁₃ (x = 0-1.0) and Ba_1.94Eu_0.06Mg_1−xMn_xP₄O₁₃ (x = 0-0.15) phosphors were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), the photoluminescence spectra, and the decay curves are investigated. XRD analysis shows that the maximum tolerable substitution of Mn²⁺ for Mg is about 50 mol% in Ba₂MgP₄O₁₃. Mn²⁺-singly doped Ba₂MgP₄O₁₃ shows weak red-luminescence peaked at about 615 nm. The Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺ co-doped phosphor emits two distinctive luminescence bands: a blue one centered at 430 nm originating from Eu²⁺ and a broad red-emitting one peaked at 615 nm from Mn²⁺ ions. The luminescence of Mn²⁺ ions can be greatly enhanced with the co-doping of Eu²⁺ in Ba₂MgP₄O₁₃. The efficient energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ is verified by the excitation and emission spectra together with the luminescence decay curves. The emission colors could be tuned from the blue to the red-purple and eventually to the deep red. The resonance-type energy transfer via a dipole-quadrupole interaction mechanism is supported by the decay lifetime data. The energy transfer efficiency and the critical distance are calculated and discussed. The temperature dependent luminescence spectra of the Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺ co-doped phosphor show a good thermal stability on quenching effect.     

Preparation and characterization of a green emitting Li2Ca0.4Sr0.6SiO4:Tb3+ phosphor with afterglow behavior

A novel green emitting long afterglow phosphor Li₂Ca_0.4Sr_0.6SiO₄:Tb³⁺ was obtained via a high temperature solid-state reaction in air atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectroscope (PLS), long afterglow spectroscope (LAS) and thermal luminescence spectroscope (TLS) were performed to characterize the physical properties of the phosphors. Typical ⁵D₄-⁷F_j transitions of Tb³⁺ ions were detected by PL spectra, corresponding to CIE chromaticity coordinates of x =0.3456, y =0.5745. An optimal concentration of Tb³⁺ in the substrate was determined as 0.8 at%. The Li₂Ca_0.4Sr_0.6SiO₄ phosphors showed a typical afterglow behavior when the UV source was switched off. A typical triple exponential decay behavior was confirmed after fitting the experimental data. Thermal simulated luminescence study further indicated that the afterglow behavior of Li₂Ca_0.4Sr_0.6SiO₄:Tb³⁺ phosphors was generated by the recombination of electrons with the holes resulted from the doping of rare-earth ions (Tb³⁺) in Li₂Ca_0.4Sr_0.6SiO₄ host. The long afterglow luminescence mechanism of Li₂Ca_0.4Sr_0.6SiO₄:Tb³⁺ is illustrated and discussed in detail on the basis of experimental results.     

Effects of argon sintering atmosphere on luminescence characteristics of Ca6BaP4O17:Sm3+ phosphors

In this paper, Ca₆BaP₄O₁₇:Sm³⁺ and Li⁺ co-doped Ca₆BaP₄O₁₇:Sm³⁺ phosphors were synthesized in air and argon atmospheres using a solid-state reaction method. The phosphor morphologies and crystal structure were studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The emission and absorption characteristics were investigated using photoluminescence emission spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The surface states and composition of phosphor were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The emission integrated intensities of the phosphors sintered in an argon atmosphere increased 3.5 fold than the ones sintered in air atmosphere, with Li⁺ ions becoming embedded in the lattice of the Ca₆BaP₄O₁₇:Sm³⁺ phosphor. This occurs because there are fewer defect/oxygen vacancies and less of the secondary phase forms, leading to better Sm³⁺ emission. The results suggest that sintering a mixture of the raw materials of a phosphor in an argon atmosphere is a good approach for synthesizing Ca₆BaP₄O₁₇:Sm³⁺ phosphor powders. The color purity and CIE values of an optimized phosphor sample sintered in an argon atmosphere with an Li⁺ ion compensator were calculated to be ~ 99.6% and (0.612,0.386) in the orange–red region under 405-nm excitation, respectively. Moreover, the solid solubility of Sm³⁺ ions in the Ca₆BaP₄O₁₇ host can be enhanced by using an argon atmosphere in the synthesis process.