Luminescent properties of stabled hexagonal phase Sr1−xBaxAl2O4:Eu (x=0.37-0.70)

Stabled hexagonal phase Sr_1−xBa_xAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ (x=0.37-0.70) was prepared by solid-state method. Result revealed that the structure behavior of the SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ calcined at 1350 °C in a reducing atmosphere for 5 h strongly depended on the Ba²⁺ concentration. With increasing Ba²⁺ concentration, a characteristic hexagonal phase can be observed. When 37-70% of the strontium is replaced by barium, the structure of the prepared sample is pure hexagonal. Photoluminescence and excitation spectra of the samples with different x and doped with 2% Eu²⁺ were investigated. Changes in the emission spectra were observed in the two different phases. The green emission at 505 nm from Eu²⁺ was found to be quite strong in the hexagonal phase. The intensity and peak position of the green luminescence from Eu²⁺ changed with increasing content of Ba²⁺. The strongest green emission was obtained from Sr_0.61Ba_0.37Al₂O₄:Eu²⁺. The decay characteristics of Sr_1−xBa_xAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ (x=0.37-0.70) showed that the life times also varied with the value of x. Furthermore, the emission colors and decay times varying with x could be ascribed to the variation of crystal lattice.     

Synthesis and luminous characteristics of Ba2MgSi2−xAlxO7: 0.1Eu, 0.1Mn phosphor for WLED

The shift of the emission band to longer wavelength (yellow-orange) of the Ba₂MgSi_2−xAl_xO₇: 0.1Eu²⁺ phosphor under the 350-450 nm excitation range has been achieved by adding the codoping element (Mn²⁺) in the host. The single-host silicate phosphor for WLED, Ba₂MgSi_2−xAl_xO₇: 0.1Eu²⁺, 0.1Mn²⁺ was prepared by high-temperature solid-state reaction. It was found experimentally that, its three-color emission peaks are situated at 623, 501 and 438 nm, respectively, under excitation of 350-450 nm irradiation. The emission peaks at 438 and 501 nm originate from the transition 5d to 4f of Eu²⁺ ions that occupy the two Ba²⁺ sites in the crystal of Ba₂MgSi_2−x Al_xO₇, while the 623 nm emission is attributed to the energy transfer from Eu²⁺ ions to Mn²⁺ ions. The white light can be obtained by mixing the three emission colors of blue (438 nm), green (501 nm) and red (623 nm) in the single host. When the concentrations of the Al³⁺, Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions were 0.4, 0.1 and 0.1 mol, respectively, the sample presented intense white emission. The addition of Al ion to the host leads to a substantial change of intensity ratio between blue and green emissions. White light could be obtained by combining this phosphor with 405 nm light-emitting diodes. The near-ultraviolet GaN-based Ba₂MgSi_1.7 Al_0.3O₇: 0.1Eu²⁺, 0.1Mn²⁺ LED achieves good color rendering of over 85.     

Ca1−xMo1−ySiyO4:Eux: A novel red phosphor for white light emitting diodes

Single phase of Ca_1−xMo_1−ySi_yO₄:Eu_x³⁺ (0.18?x?0.26, 0?y?0.04) was synthesized by solid-state method. The photoluminescence investigation indicated that Ca_1−xMoO₄:Eu_x³⁺ (0.18?x?0.26) could be effectively excited by 393 and 464 nm, and it exhibited an intense red emission at 615 nm. The introduction of Si⁴⁺ ions did not change the position of the peaks but strongly enhanced the emission intensity of Eu³⁺ under 393 and 464 nm excitations and showed very good color purity. The emission intensity of optimal Ca_0.8Mo_0.98Si_0.02O₄:Eu_0.2³⁺ sample (excited by 393 nm) was about 5.5 times higher than that of the phosphor Y₂O₂S:0.05Eu³⁺. So this phosphor could be nicely suitable for the application of the UV LED chips.     

Photoluminescence properties of Sr1-xSi2O2N2: Eux as green to yellow-emitting phosphor for blue pumped white LEDs

This study evaluated potential applications of green to yellow-emitting phosphors (Sr_1−xSi₂O₂N₂: Eu²⁺_x) in blue pumped white light emitting diodes. Sr_1-xSi₂O₂N₂: Eu²⁺_x was synthesized at different Eu²⁺ doping concentrations at 1450 °C for 5 h under a reducing nitrogen atmosphere containing 5% H₂ using a conventional solid reaction method. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the prepared phosphor (Sr_1-xSi₂O₂N₂: Eu²⁺_x) were indexed to the SrSi₂O₂N₂ phase and an unknown intermediate phase. The photoluminescence properties of these phosphors (Sr_1−xSi₂O₂N₂: Eu²⁺_x) showed that the samples were excited from the UV to visible region due to the strong crystal field splitting of the Eu²⁺ ion. The emission spectra under excitation of 450 nm showed a bright color at 545-561 nm. The emission intensity increased gradually with increasing Eu²⁺ doping concentration ratio from 0.05 to 0.15. However, the emission intensity decreased suddenly when the Eu²⁺ concentration ratio was >0.2. As the doping concentration of Eu²⁺ was increased, there was a red shift in the continuous emission peak. These results suggest that Sr_1-xSi₂O₂N₂: Eu₂⁺_x phosphor can be used in blue-pumped white light emitting diodes.     

Synthesis and Eu concentration-dependent photoluminescence of Gd2−xEuxO3 nanowires

The nanowire growth behavior and photoluminescence characteristics of red-emitting oxide phosphor Gd_2−xEu_xO₃ have been investigated in the function of activator (Eu³⁺) concentrations (x=0.08, 0.12, 0.16, 0.20, and 0.24). Nanowires of Gd_2−xEu_xO₃ phosphor were prepared by the dehydration of corresponding hydroxides Gd_1−x/2Eu_x/2(OH)₃ obtained by the hydrothermal reaction. Highly uniform nanowires of 20-30 nm in diameter can grow up to several tens of micrometers in length. A number of defects on the surface of Gd_1.92Eu_0.08O₃ nanowires, which are induced during structural transformation from hexagonal hydroxide to cubic oxide, strongly decrease the luminescence efficiency in comparison with that of the bulk phosphor. In contrast, the photoemission intensity of nanowires is significantly improved with increasing Eu³⁺ content (x) of Gd_2−xEu_xO₃ solid solution. The highest relative emission intensity of nanowires is observed when the x value is close to x=0.20. This content is much higher than the optimal concentration of Eu³⁺ (x=0.08-0.10) for the bulk Gd₂O₃:Eu powder.     

An efficient co-doping of Eu and Er in CaAl2O4 aluminate phosphor

CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ co-doped with varying concentrations of Er³⁺ was prepared by solid-state reaction method. Prepared materials with 1 mol% Eu²⁺ and 2-10 mol% of Er³⁺ were investigated for their photoluminescence properties. Phase, morphology and crystalline structure were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Broad band UV-excited luminescence was observed for CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Er³⁺ in the blue region (λ_max=440 nm) due to transitions from 4f⁶5d¹ to the 4f⁷ configuration of the Eu²⁺ ion. The Er³⁺ ion co-doping generates deep traps, which results in longer decay time for phosphorescence.     

Preparation and luminescent properties of BaCa2Si3O9:Eu

A blue emitting phosphor of the triclinic BaCa₂Si₃O₉:Eu²⁺ was prepared by the combustion-assisted synthesis method and an efficient blue emission ranging from the ultraviolet to visible was observed. The luminescence and crystallinity were investigated using luminescence spectrometry and X-ray diffractometry (XRD), respectively. The emission spectrum shows a single intensive band centered at 445 nm, which corresponds to the 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺. The excitation spectrum is a broad extending from 260 to 450 nm, which matches the emission of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). The critical quenching concentration of Eu²⁺ in BaCa₂Si₃O₉:Eu²⁺ phosphor is about 0.05 mol. The corresponding concentration quenching mechanism is verified to be a dipole-dipole interaction. The CIE of the optimized sample Ba_0.95Ca₂Si₃O₉:Eu_0.05²⁺ was (x, y)=(0.164, 0.111). The result indicates that BaCa₂Si₃O₉:Eu²⁺ can be potentially useful as a UV radiation-converting phosphor for white light-emitting diodes (LEDs).     

Luminescence and chromaticity of alkaline earth aluminate MxSr1−xAl2O4:Eu (M: Ca,Ba)

In order to prepare fluorescent material for UV-LED used as illumination light source, two series of Eu²⁺ doped (1 mol%) alkaline earth aluminate phosphors Ca_xSr_1−xAl₂O₄ and Ba_xSr_1−xAl₂O₄ were prepared. The crystal structure, relative quantum efficiency(Qr), peak wavelength(λ_p), color tuning and chromaticity were investigated by XRD patterns and photoluminescence (PL) on samples prepared by solid solution system (s series) and powder mixing system (m series) respectively. For the s series, the synthesized Ca_xSr_1−xAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ powders show that the structure transforms from monoclinic to hexagonal at x?0.5, and λ_p increases from 442.3 to 529.7 nm with decreasing x. For the Ba_xSr_1−xAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ system, the structure transforms from monoclinic to hexagonal at x?0.3, and λ_p decreases from 520.5 to 502.2 nm continuously from x=0 to 1. The shift in λ_p could be explained by the crystal field effect, which is affected by different coulomb attractive forces due to the various fraction of alkaline earth cation in the host lattice. Different phosphor properties prepared by either solid solution or powder mixing methods were characterized by chromaticity measurements for both reflective and transmissive modes.     

Surface characterization and luminescent properties of SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy nano thin films

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ thin films were grown on Si (1 0 0) substrates in different atmospheres using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The effects of vacuum, oxygen (O₂) and argon (Ar) deposition atmospheres on the structural, morphological and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the films were investigated. The films were ablated using a 248 nm KrF excimer laser. Improved PL intensities were obtained from the unannealed films prepared in Ar and O₂ atmospheres compared to those prepared in vacuum. A stable green emission peak at 520 nm, attributed to 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ Eu²⁺ transitions was obtained. After annealing the films prepared in vacuum at 800 °C for 2 h, the intensity of the green emission (520 nm) of the thin film increased considerably. The amorphous thin film was crystalline after the annealing process. The diffusion of adventitious C into the nanostructured layers deposited in the Ar and O₂ atmospheres was most probably responsible for the quenching of the PL intensity after annealing.     

Effect of Ca and Sr alkaline earth ions on luminescence properties of BaAl12O19:Eu nanophosphor

Nanosized barium aluminate materials was doped by divalent cations (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺) and Eu²⁺ having nominal compositions Ba_1−xMxAl₁₂O₁₉:Eu (M=Ca and Sr) (x=0.1-0.5), were synthesized by the combustion method. These phosphors were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and photoluminescence measurement. The photoluminescence characterization showed the presence of Eu ion in divalent form which gave emission bands peaking at 444 nm for the 320 nm excitation (solid-state lighting excitation), while for 254 nm it gave the same emission wavelength of low intensity (1.5 times) compared to 320 nm excitation. It was also observed that alkaline earth metal (Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺) dopants increase the intensity of Eu²⁺ ion in BaAl₁₂O₁₉ lattice, thus this phosphor may be useful for solid-state lighting.     

Luminescent characterization of CaAl2S4:Eu powder

The photoluminescent (PL) emission and excitation behaviour of green-emitting CaAl₂S₄:Eu²⁺ powder phosphor is reported in detail. CaAl₂S₄:Eu²⁺ emission provides good CIE colour coordinates (x=0.141; y=0.721) for the green component in display applications. Powder with a dopant concentration of 8.5 mol% shows the highest luminescence efficiency. Temperature dependence of the radiative properties, such as luminescence intensity and decay time, was investigated. In particular, the Stokes shift, the mean phonon energy, the redshift, the energy of the f→d and d→f transition and the crystal field splitting of the CaAl₂S₄:Eu²⁺ emission were determined. The thermal quenching of the emission was examined.     

Green-emissive transparent BaSi2O5:Eu film phosphor on quartz glass created by a sputtering thermal diffusion process

Eu²⁺-doped BaSi₂O₅ film phosphors on quartz substrates are fabricated by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering thermal diffusion. The BaSi₂O₅: Eu²⁺ phosphor crystals have some preferred orientations that are lattice-spacing matched with the crystallized β- SiO₂ crystals, and they show pore and grain boundary-free morphology with a rod-like shape fused into the crystallized β- SiO₂ crystals. The BaSi₂O₅: Eu²⁺ film phosphor has a high transparency, with a transmittance of about 30% in visible light. The BaSi₂O₅: Eu²⁺ film phosphor shows 510 nm green emission from the f–d transition of the Eu²⁺ ions, and in particular the best sample shows a green photoluminescence brightness of about 5% of a BaSi₂O₅: Eu²⁺ powder phosphor screen. These excellences in optical properties can be explained by less optical scattering at pores or grain boundaries, and less reflection at the continuously index-changed interface.     

Crystallinity and morphology dependent luminescence of Li-doped Y2−xGdxO3:Eu thin film phosphors

The influence of lithium doping on the crystallization, the surface morphology, and the luminescent properties of pulsed laser deposited Y_2−xGd_xO₃:Eu³⁺ thin film phosphors was investigated. The crystallinity, the surface morphology, and the photoluminescence (PL) of films depended highly on the Li-doping and the Gd content. The relationship between the crystalline and morphological structures and the luminescent properties was studied, and Li⁺ doping was found to effectively enhance not only the crystallinity but also the luminescent brightness of Y_2−xGd_xO₃:Eu³⁺ thin films. In particular, the incorporation of Li and Gd into the Y₂O₃ lattice could induce remarkable increase in the PL. The highest emission intensity was observed Li-doped Y_1.35Gd_0.6O₃:Eu³⁺ thin films whose brightness was increased by a factor of 4.6 in comparison with that of Li-doped Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ thin films.     

Green Eu-doped Ba3Si6O12N2 phosphor for white light-emitting diodes: Synthesis, characterization and theoretical simulation

The Eu²⁺-doped Ba₃Si₆O₁₂N₂ green phosphor (Eu_xBa_3−xSi₆O₁₂N₂) was synthesized by a conventional solid state reaction method. It could be efficiently excited by UV-blue light (250-470 nm) and shows a single intense broadband emission (480-580 nm). The phosphor has a concentration quenching effect at x=0.20 and a systematic red-shift in emission wavelength with increasing Eu²⁺ concentration. High quantum efficiency and suitable excitation range make it match well with the emission of near-UV LEDs or blue LEDs. First-principles calculations indicate that Ba₃Si₆O₁₂N₂:Eu²⁺ phosphor exhibits a direct band gap, and low band energy dispersion, leading to a high luminescence intensity. The origin of the experimental absorption peaks is clearly identified based on the analysis of the density of states (DOS) and absorption spectra. The photoluminescence properties are related to the transition between 4f levels of Eu and 5d levels of both Eu and Ba atoms. The 5d energy level of Ba plays an important role in the photoluminescence of Ba₃Si₆O₁₂N₂:Eu²⁺ phosphor. The high quantum efficiency and long-wavelength excitation are mainly attributed to the existence of Ba atoms. Our results give a new explanation of photoluminescence properties and could direct future designation of novel phosphors for white light LED.     

A novel blue-emitting long-lasting proyphosphate phosphor Sr2P2O7:Eu,Y

By introducing the Y³⁺ into Sr₂P₂O₇:Eu²⁺, we successfully prepared a kind of new phosphor with blue long-lasting phosphorescence by the high-temperature solid-state reaction method. In this paper, the properties of Sr₂P₂O₇:Eu²⁺,Y³⁺ were investigated utilizing XRD, photoluminescence, luminescence decay, long-lasting phosphorescence and thermoluminescence (TL) spectra. The phosphor emitted blue light that was related to the 4f⁶5d¹-⁸S_7/2 transition of Eu²⁺. The bright blue phosphorescence could be observed by naked eyes even 8 h after the excitation source was removed. Two TL peaks at 317 and 378 K related to two types of defects appeared in the TL spectrum. By analyzing the TL curve the depths of traps were calculated to be 0.61 and 0.66 eV. Also, the mechanism of LLP was discussed in this report.     

Photoluminescence and phosphorescence properties of MAl2O4:Eu, Dy (M=Ca, Ba, Sr) phosphors prepared at an initiating combustion temperature of 500 °C

Eu²⁺ and Dy³⁺ co-doped calcium aluminate, barium aluminate and strontium aluminate phosphors were synthesized at an initiating combustion temperature of 500 °C using urea as an organic fuel. The crystallinity of the phosphors was investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the morphology was determined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The low temperature monoclinic structure for both CaAl₂O₄ and SrAl₂O₄ and the hexagonal structure of BaAl₂O₄ were observed. The effect of the host materials on the photoluminescence (PL) and phosphorescence properties were investigated by using a He-Cd Laser and a Cary Eclipse fluorescence spectrophotometer, respectively. The broad band emission spectra observed at 449 nm for CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺, 450 nm (with a shoulder-peak at 500 nm) for BaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ and 528 nm for SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ are attributed to the 4f⁶5d¹ to 4f⁷ transition in the Eu²⁺ ion in the different hosts.     

Intense green-emitting Sr2LiSiO4F:Eu2+ phosphor for n-UV white LEDs

Eu²⁺-activated Sr₂LiSiO₄F phosphors were synthesized at 900°C by solid-state reaction in reducing atmosphere, and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were systematically investigated by diffuse reflection spectra, PL excitation and emission spectra, and by the fluorescence decay curve. Sr₂LiSiO₄F:Eu²⁺ emits intense green light at 520 nm originating from the 5d¹4f⁶−4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺ under 365 nm n-UV excitation. The PL excitation spectrum matches the emission from n-UV chips. These materials could be promising green phosphors for use in generating white light in phosphor-converted white light-emitting-diodes (LEDs).     

Sr2CeO4:Eu and Sr2CeO4:5 mol% Eu, 3 mol% Dy microphosphors: Wet chemistry synthesis from hybrid precursor and photoluminescence properties

In this article, Sr₂CeO₄:x mol% Eu³⁺ and Sr₂CeO₄:5 mol%Eu³⁺, 3 mol% Dy³⁺ phosphors were synthesized from assembling hybrid precursors by wet chemical method. As-prepared samples present uniform grain-like morphology and the particle size is about 0.2 μm. The luminescence spectra of Sr₂CeO₄:x mol% Eu³⁺ have been measured to examine the influence of the intensity of red emission lines for Eu³⁺ on the concentration of Eu³⁺, showing that the intensity of the red emission increases with an increase of the concentration from 1 to 5 mol%. Additionally, from the emission spectra of Sr₂CeO₄:5 mol%Eu³⁺, 3 mol% Dy³⁺ phosphors, the characteristic lines of Dy³⁺ have also been observed. This result indicates that there also exists an energy transfer process between Sr₂CeO₄ and Dy³⁺.     

Synthesis and luminescence investigation of RE (Eu, Tb and Ce)-doped lithium silicate (Li2SiO3)

Synthesis and photoluminescence (PL) investigations of lithium metasilicate doped with Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Ce³⁺ were carried out. PL spectra of Eu-doped sample showed peaks corresponding to the ⁵D₀→⁷F_j (j=1, 2, 3 and 4) transitions under ultraviolet excitation. Strong red emission coming from the hypersensitive ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ion suggested the presence of the dopant ion in structurally disordered environment. Tb³⁺-doped silicate sample showed blue-green emission corresponding to the ⁵D₄→⁷F_j (j=6, 5 and 4) transitions. Ce-doped sample under excitation from UV, showed a broad emission band in the region 350-370 nm with shoulders around 410 nm. The fluorescence lifetimes of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions were found out to be 790 and 600 μs, respectively. For Ce³⁺, the lifetime was of the order of 45 ns. PL spectra of the europium- and terbium-doped samples were compared with commercial red (Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺) and green (LaPO₄:Tb³⁺) phosphors, respectively. It was found that the emission from the doped silicate sample was 37% of the commercial phosphor in case of the Tb-doped sample and 8% of the commercial phosphor in case of the Eu-doped sample.     

Luminescent properties of KGd1−x(WO4)2:Eux and KGd1−x(WO4)2−y(MoO4)y:Eux phosphors in UV-VUV regions

KGd_1−x(WO₄)_2−y(MoO₄)_y:Eu³⁺_x(0.1?x?0.75, y=0 and 0.2) phosphors are synthesized through traditional solid-state reaction and their luminescent properties in ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) regions are investigated. Under 147 nm excitation, these phosphors show characteristic red emission with good color purity. In order to improve their emission intensity, the MoO₄²⁻ (20 wt%) is introduced into the anion of KGd_1−x(WO₄):Eu³⁺_x. The Mo⁶⁺ and Eu³⁺ co-doped KGd(WO₄)₂ phosphors show higher emission intensity in comparison with the singly Eu³⁺-doped KGd(WO₄)₂ in VUV region. The chromaticity coordination of KGd_0.45(WO₄):Eu³⁺_0.55 is (x=0.669, y=0.331), while that of KGd_0.45(WO₄)_1.8(MoO₄)_0.2:Eu³⁺_0.55 is (x=0.666, y=0.334) in VUV region.