Photoluminescence properties and application of yellow Ca0.65Si10Al2O0.7N15.3:xEu2+ phosphors for white LEDs

A series of yellow-emitting oxynitride Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:xEu²⁺ phosphors with α-sialon structure were synthesized. The phase composition and crystal structure were identified by X-ray diffraction and the Rietveld refinement. The excitation and emission spectra, reflectance spectra and thermal stability were investigated in detail, respectively. Results show that Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:0.12Eu²⁺ phosphors can be efficiently excited by UV-Vis light in the broad range of 290–450 nm and exhibit broad emission spectra peaking at 550–575 nm. The concentration quenching mechanism are discussed in detail and determined to be the dipole-dipole interaction. When the temperature increased to 150 °C, the emission intensity of Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:0.12Eu²⁺ phosphor is 88.46% of the initial value at room temperature. White LED was fabricated with N-UV LED chip combined with blue Ca₃Si₂O₄N₂:Ce³⁺ and yellow Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:Eu²⁺ phosphors. The color rendering index and correlated color temperature of this white LED were measured to 78.94 and 6728.12 K, respectively. All above results demonstrate that the as-prepared Ca_0.65Si₁₀Al₂O_0.7N_15.3:xEu²⁺ may serve as a potential yellow phosphor for N-UV w-LEDs.     

Luminescence enhancement of Eu, Ce co-doped Ba3Si5O13−δNδ phosphors

Host lattice Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ oxonitridosilicates have been synthesized by the traditional solid state reaction method. The lattice structure is based on layers of vertex-linked SiO₄ tetrahedrons and Ba²⁺ ions, where each Ba²⁺ ion is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms forming distorted square antiprisms. Under an excitation wavelength of 365 nm, Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ:Eu²⁺ and Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ show broad emission bands from about 400-620 nm, with maxima at about 480 nm and half-peak width of around 130 nm. The emission intensity is strongly enhanced by co-doping Ce³⁺ ions into the Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ:Eu²⁺ phosphor, which could be explained by energy transfer. The excitation band from the near UV to the blue light region confirms the possibility that Ba₃Si₅O_13−δN_δ:Eu²⁺, Ce³⁺ could be used as a phosphor for white LEDs.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of Eu2+ doped nitrogen-rich Ca-α-SiAlON phosphor for white light-emitting diodes

Yellow/orange-emitting nitrogen-rich Ca_0.9Si₉Al₃(O,N)₁₆: Eu²⁺ phosphors were successfully prepared by solid-state reaction synthesis. The fluorescence excitation spectra of all of the nitrogen-rich Ca_0.9Si₉Al₃(O,N)₁₆: Eu²⁺ phosphor powders displayed two broad bands centered at about 300 nm and 400–475 nm. The first peak was assigned to the absorption of the host lattice and the second to the 4f⁷ → 4f⁶5d¹ absorption of the Eu²⁺ ions, its means enhanced 4f⁷ → 4f⁶5d excitation of Eu²⁺ ion. The absorption peak intensity increased upon increasing the Eu²⁺ doping amount, but only up to a Eu²⁺ concentration ratio of 0.15. The emission spectra of the prepared Ca_0.9Si₉Al₃(O,N)₁₆: Eu²⁺ phosphors all exhibited a single broad band in the 500–700 nm region, maximum emission peak observed at 591 nm. The room temperature decay times were observed τ₁ = 1.27 μs and τ₂ = 9.90 μs.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of tunable emission phosphors Ca4Si2O7F2:Ce3+

The Ce³⁺ activated phosphors Ca₄Si₂O₇F₂:Ce³⁺ are prepared by a solid state reaction technique. The UV–vis luminescence properties as well as fluorescence decay time spectra are investigated and discussed. The results revealed that there were two kinds of Ce³⁺ luminescence behavior with 408 and 470 nm emissions, respectively. Under 355 nm excitation, the Ce(1) emission (408 nm) is dominant at low doping concentration, and then the Ce(2) emission (470 nm) get more important with increasing of Ce³⁺ concentrations in the host. The phosphors Ca₄Si₂O₇F₂:xCe³⁺ show tunable emissions from blue area to green-blue area under near-ultraviolet light excitation, indicating a potential application in near-UV based w-LEDs.     

空气中合成固溶体荧光粉Ba2(Zn, Mg)Si2O7:Ce3+,Eu2+,Eu3+及其发光特性

采用高温固相法在空气中合成了Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇:0.03Eu,yCe³⁺系列荧光粉。分别采用X-射线衍射和荧光光谱对所合成荧光粉的物相和发光性质进行了表征。在紫外光330~360 nm激发下,固溶体荧光粉Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇:0.03Eu的发射光谱在350~725 nm范围内呈现多谱峰发射,360和500 nm处有强的宽带发射属于Eu²⁺离子的4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷跃迁,590~725 nm红光区窄带谱源于Eu³⁺的⁵D₀-⁷F_J (J=1,2,3,4)跃迁,这表明,在空气气氛中,部分Eu³⁺在Ba_1.97-yZn_1-xMg_xSi₂O₇基质中被还原成了Eu²⁺;当x=0.1时,荧光粉Ba_1.97Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.03Eu的绿色发光最强,表明Eu³⁺被还原成Eu²⁺离子的程度最大。当共掺入Ce³⁺离子后,形成Ba_1.97-yZn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.03Eu,yCe³⁺荧光粉体系,其发光随着Ce³⁺离子浓度的增大由蓝绿区经白光区到达橙红区;发现名义组成为Ba_1.96Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇:0.01Ce³⁺,0.03Eu的荧光粉的色坐标为(0.323,0.311),接近理想白光,是一种有潜在应用价值的白光荧光粉。讨论了稀土离子在Ba₂Zn_0.9Mg_0.1Si₂O₇基质中的能量传递与发光机理。     

Synthesis and characterization of Eu3+/Dy3+ codoped composite phosphors SrAl2Si2O8/SrAlSi1/2O7/2 via a one-pot nitrate-gel process

Composite phosphors SrAl₂Si₂O₈/SrAlSi_1/2O_7/2 codoped with Eu³⁺ and Dy³⁺ were synthesized via a simple one-pot nitrate-gel process. The thermal decomposition process of the precursor is investigated by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The as-prepared Eu³⁺/Dy³⁺ codoped SrAl₂Si₂O₈/SrAlSi_1/2O_7/2 phosphors could yield blue (436 nm), bluegreen (486 nm), yellow (583 nm), and red (617 nm) lights under near-UV 380 nm excitation from a composite matrix produced by spontaneous phase separation during heat treatment of the precursor. Moreover, the effects of Dy³⁺ doping concentration on the structures, defect features, and luminescence properties of the composite phosphors were examined in detail.     

Reduction of Eu to Eu in MAl2Si2O8 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) in air condition

In general, the reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in solids needs an annealing process in a reducing atmosphere. In this paper, it is of great interest and importance to find that the reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ can be realized in a series of alkaline-earth metal aluminum silicates MAl₂Si₂O₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) just in air condition. The Eu²⁺-doped MAl₂Si₂O₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) powder samples were prepared in air atmosphere by Pechini-type sol-gel process. It was found that the strong band emissions of 4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷ from Eu²⁺ were observed at 417, 404 and 373 nm in air-annealed CaAl₂Si₂O₈, SrAl₂Si₂O₈ and BaAl₂Si₂O₈, respectively, under ultraviolet excitation although the Eu³⁺ precursors were employed. In addition, under low-voltage electron beam excitation, Eu²⁺-doped MAl₂Si₂O₈ also shows strong blue or ultraviolet emission corresponding to 4f⁶5d¹-4f⁷ transition. The reduction mechanism from Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in these compounds has been discussed in detail.     

Luminescent properties of Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>: Eu,Pr prepared by sol–gel method

A new red-emitting long afterglow Sr₃Al₂O₆: Eu²⁺, Pr³⁺ phosphor was synthesized by sol–gel methods using Sr(NO₃)₂, Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Eu(NO₃)₃ and Pr(NO₃)₃ as raw materials. The crystalline structure of the phosphor powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Luminescent properties of the phosphor powders were analyzed by the fluorescence spectrophotometer. Sr₃Al₂O₆: Eu²⁺, Pr³⁺ phosphor powders with single Sr₃Al₂O₆ phase were prepared at 1200 °C for 2 h in the reducing atmosphere. Pr³⁺ doped made the light intensity and the light-lasting time of Sr₃Al₂O₆: Eu²⁺, Pr³⁺ phosphors improved. The emission peaks of the Sr₃Al₂O₆: Eu²⁺, Pr³⁺ phosphor powders lay at 612 nm with the excitation of 472 nm and the longest afterglow time could last for about 15 min at Pr³⁺ content of 0.06.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel blue emitting Na2CaSiO4:Ce3+ phosphor

The blue phosphors Na_(2?x)Ca_(1?x)SiO₄:xCe³⁺ were synthesized by the sol–gel method and their luminescence characteristics were investigated for the first time. Structural information about prepared samples is obtained by analyzing the XRD patterns and SEM micrographs. The photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectra indicate that the Na_(2?x)Ca_(1?x)SiO₄:xCe³⁺ phosphors can be effectively excited by ultraviolet (360 nm) light. The PL emission spectra exhibit tunable blue broadband emission with the dominant wavelength of 427–447 nm under excitation of 360 nm by controlling the doping concentration of Ce³⁺. The concentration quenching effect for Ce³⁺ was found at the optimum doping concentration of 4 mol%. The Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage 1931 chromaticity coordinates of Na_1.96Ca_0.96SiO₄:0.04Ce³⁺ are (0.1447, 0.0787), which are better color purity compared to the commercial Eu²⁺-doped BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇ phosphor. Na_1.96Ca_0.96SiO₄:0.04Ce³⁺ composition shows intense blue emission (peak wavelength, 439 nm) with relative intensity versus commercial BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ blue phosphor (Nichia) 65 and 158 % under 254 and 365 nm excitation, respectively. All the results indicate that Na_(2?x)Ca_(1?x)SiO₄:xCe³⁺ phosphors are potential candidate as a blue emitting phosphor for UV-converting white light-emitting diodes.     

The effect of replacement of Sr by Ca on the structural and luminescence properties of the red-emitting Sr2Si5N8:Eu LED conversion phosphor

The influence of the replacement of Sr by Ca on structural and luminescence properties of Eu²⁺-doped Sr₂Si₅N₈ is reported. The Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction data shows that the Ca²⁺ ion preferentially occupies the larger Sr site in Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺. Although the excitation spectrum is hardly modified, the position of the emission band of Eu²⁺ can be tailored through partial replacement of Sr by Ca in Sr₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺, resulting in red-emission shifting from 620 to 643 nm. Furthermore, (Sr, Ca)₂Si₅N₈:Eu²⁺ shows high potential as a conversion phosphor for white-light LED applications due to similar absorption, conversion efficiency and thermal quenching behaviour for 465 nm excitation after the introduction of the Ca ion.     

Synthesis of Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>6</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>16</Subscript>: Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphors by sol–gel method and optical properties

Ca₃Al₆Si₂O₁₆: Ce³⁺, Tb³⁺ phosphors have been prepared by sol–gel method. The structure and photoluminescence properties were studied with careful. The results indicated that the single-phased Ca₃Al₆Si₂O₁₆ phosphors crystallize at 1,000 °C for 2 h in conventional furnace. With appropriate concentrations of Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions into Ca₃Al₆Si₂O₁₆ matrix, these materials exhibit blue phosphors and white light under ultraviolet radiation. White-light emission can be achieved because of a 400 nm emission ascribed to transitions of Ce³⁺ ions and three sharp peaks at 487, 543, 585 nm, respectively, resulting from transitions of Tb³⁺ ions.     

Luminescence Tuning of Sr8MgCe(PO4)7:Eu2+,Mn2+ Phosphors: Structure Refinement,Site Occupancy,and Energy Transfer

Sr₈MgCe(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺,Mn²⁺ phosphor with whitlockite‐type structure was prepared by a combustion‐assisted solid‐state reaction. The crystal structure and luminescence properties were investigated. Under UV radiation, Sr₈MgCe(PO₄)₇ host exhibits a violet‐blue emission band from Ce³⁺ ions. When Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺ are doped into the host, the samples excited with 270 nm UV radiation present multicolor emissions due to the energy transfer (ET) from Ce³⁺ to Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺. The emitting color of Sr₈MgCe(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺ can be tuned from violet‐blue to yellow‐green, whereas Sr₈MgCe(PO₄)₇:Mn²⁺ can emit red light. Under excitation with long wavelength at 360 nm, Sr₈MgCe(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor shows a broadband emission from 390 to 700 nm, which is attributed to the 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺ without the contribution from Ce³⁺ emission. Tunable full‐color emitting light can be achieved in the Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺‐codoped Sr₈MgCe(PO₄)₇ phosphor by ET_Eu–Mn through control of the levels of doped Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions. These results suggest that Sr₈MgCe(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺,Mn²⁺ phosphor has potential applications in NUV chip pumped white LEDs.     

Blue-light-excitable broadband yellow-emitting CaGd2HfSc(AlO4)3:Ce3+ garnet phosphors for white light-emitting diode devices with improved color rendering index

The current commercial white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are generally based on the combination of blue LED chips and Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ yellow phosphors. However, because of the lack of red component, such white LED devices exhibit cool white-light emissions with low color rendering index (Ra < 75, R9 < 0). Therefore, it is urgent to discover new blue-light-excitable yellow-emitting phosphors with enhanced red emissions for fabricating high color-quality white LEDs. In the present work, we demonstrate a novel broadband yellow-emitting CaGd₂HfScAl₃O₁₂:Ce³⁺ garnet phosphor for blue-light-excited white LEDs with improved color rendering index. The as-prepared CaGd₂HfScAl₃O₁₂:Ce³⁺ garnet phosphor possesses a cubic structure with Ia$\overline{3}$d space group, and the unit cell parameters of the representative CaGd₂HfScAl₃O₁₂:2%Ce³⁺ phosphor are a = b = c = 12.450 Å, α = β = γ = 90°, and V = 1,929.59(4) ų. Impressively, we find that the CaGd₂HfScAl₃O₁₂:Ce³⁺ garnet phosphor shows an intense absorption band in the 300–500 nm wavelength range with a maximum at 452 nm owing to the 4f→5d transition of Ce³⁺ ions. On 452 nm excitation, the optimal CaGd₂HfScAl₃O₁₂:2%Ce³⁺ sample exhibits a broad asymmetric yellow emission band in the wavelength range of 470–750 nm with peak at 564 nm and full width at half maximum of 151 nm. The Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates and internal quantum efficiency of the CaGd₂HfScAl₃O₁₂:2%Ce³⁺ sample are (0.4485, 0.5157) and 30.4%, respectively. Finally, a white LED device is fabricated by combing a 450 nm blue LED chip with commercial Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ yellow-emitting phosphor, which generates white light with low color rendering index (CRI; Ra = 74.7, R9 = ?12.7) and high correlated color temperature (CCT = 6,554 K) under the 60 mA driving current. In sharp contrast, another white LED device, which is made by coating our as-prepared CaGd₂HfScAl₃O₁₂:2%Ce³⁺ yellow-emitting phosphors onto the surface of a 450 nm blue LED chip, produces white-light emission with high CRI value (Ra = 84.5, R9 = 26.3) and relatively low CCT of 5,649 K. This work reveals that the newly discovered broadband yellow-emitting CaGd₂HfScAl₃O₁₂:Ce³⁺ phosphors can serve as a potential color converter in high-color-quality phosphor-converted white LEDs.     

Photocurable silica hybrid organic–inorganic films for photonic applications

This paper reports the detailed preparation process of Eu²⁺ activated Sr₃Al₂O₆ by a sol-gel method in the reducing atmosphere. The effect of the calcining temperature on the microstructure, crystalline particle morphology and luminescence properties of Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ is systematically discussed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectrophotometer were employed to characterize the phosphor. The Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders calcined at 1200 °C for 2 h possessed a Sr₃Al₂O₆ single cubic phase. The Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ crystallites showed flower-like morphology. The Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders exhibited a red broad emission band with emission peak at 612 nm under 472 nm excitation. Especially the Sr₃Al₂O₆:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders prepared at 1200 °C showed the strongest luminescence intensity, due to the pure phase and higher crystallinity of Sr₃Al₂O₆.     

Preparation and luminescence properties of green-light-emitting afterglow phosphor Ca8Mg(SiO4)4Cl2:Eu2+

Green-light-emitting long-lasting phosphorescence phosphor, Eu²⁺ activated calcium magnesium chlorosilicate Ca₈Mg(SiO₄)₄Cl₂, has been prepared by a modified solid-state reaction method using Ca₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ as a precursor. Its properties have been discussed and analyzed utilizing XRD, photoluminescence, excited-state decay curve and long-lasting phosphorescence decay curve. Upon UV light excitation, the emission spectrum of Ca₈Mg(SiO₄)₄Cl₂:Eu²⁺ phosphor is composed of two separate bands centered at 425 nm and 505 nm, respectively. Furthermore, after irradiation by a 320-nm UV light for 3 min, the 2% Eu²⁺-doped Ca₈Mg(SiO₄)₄Cl₂ phosphor emits intense green-light-emitting afterglow from the 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺, and its afterglow can be seen with the naked eye in the dark clearly for more than 3 h after removal of the excitation source. The disappearance of the high-energy 425 nm band in the afterglow emission spectrum is explained by its different crystallographic sites. The afterglow decay curve of the Eu²⁺-doped Ca₈Mg(SiO₄)₄Cl₂ phosphor contains a fast decay component and another slow decay one. The possible mechanism of this long-lasting phosphorescence phosphor is also discussed based on the experimental results.     

Color Point Tuning in Lu3−x−yMnxAl5−xSixO12:yCe3+ for White LEDs

A series of the solid‐solution phosphors Lu_3?x?yMn_xAl_5?xSi_xO₁₂:yCe³⁺ is synthesized by solid‐state reaction. The obtained phosphors possess the garnet structure and exhibit similar excitation properties as the phosphor Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺, but with an effectively improved red component in the emission spectrum. This can be attributed to the energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Mn²⁺. Our investigation reveals that electric dipole–quadrupole interactions dominate the energy‐transfer mechanism and that the critical distance determined by the spectral overlap method is about 9.21 Å. The color‐tunable emissions of the Lu_3?x?yMn_xAl_5?xSi_xO₁₂:yCe³⁺ phosphor as a function of Mn₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂ content are realized by continuously shifting the chromaticity coordinates from (0.354, 0.570) to (0.462, 0.494). They indicate that the obtained material may have potential application as a blue radiation‐converting phosphor for white LEDs with high‐quality white light.     

Ultra‐Narrow‐Band Blue‐Emitting Oxoberyllates AELi2[Be4O6]:Eu2+ (AE=Sr,Ba) Paving the Way to Efficient RGB pc‐LEDs

Highly efficient phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diodes (pc‐LEDs) are popular in lighting and high‐tech electronics applications. The main goals of present LED research are increasing light quality, preserving color point stability and reducing energy consumption. For those purposes excellent phosphors in all spectral regions are required. Here, we report on ultra‐narrow band blue emitting oxoberyllates AELi₂[Be₄O₆]:Eu²⁺ (AE=Sr,Ba) exhibiting a rigid covalent network isotypic to the nitridoalumosilicate BaLi₂[(Al₂Si₂)N₆]:Eu²⁺. The oxoberyllates’ extremely small Stokes shift and unprecedented ultra‐narrow band blue emission with fwhm ≈25 nm (≈1200 cm^?1) at λ_em=454–456 nm result from its rigid, highly condensed tetrahedra network. AELi₂[Be₄O₆]:Eu²⁺ allows for using short‐wavelength blue LEDs (λ_em<440 nm) for efficient excitation of the ultra‐narrow band blue phosphor, for application in violet pumped white RGB phosphor LEDs with improved color point stability, excellent color rendering, and high energy efficiency.     

Tunable luminescence and energy transfer process between Tb3+ and Eu3+ in GYAG:Bi3+, Tb3+, Eu3+ phosphors

A series of Eu³⁺ ions co-doped (Gd_0.9Y_0.1)₃Al₅O₁₂:Bi³⁺, Tb³⁺ (GYAG) phosphors have been synthesized by means of solvothermal reaction method. The XRD pattern of GYAG phosphor sintered at 1500 °C confirms their garnet phase. The luminescence properties of these phosphors have been explored by analyzing their excitation and emission spectra along with their decay curves. The excitation spectra of the GYAG:Bi³⁺, Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors consists of broad bands in the shorter wavelength region due to 4f⁸ → 4f⁷5d¹ transition of Tb³⁺ ions overlapped with 6s² → 6s¹6p¹ (¹S₀ → ³P₁) transition of Bi³⁺ ions and the charge transfer band of Eu³⁺–O^2?. The present phosphors exhibit green and red colors due to ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ ions and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ transition of Eu³⁺ ions, respectively. The emission was shifted from green to red color by co-doping with Eu³⁺ ions, which indicate that the energy transfer probability from Tb³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ions are dependent strongly on the concentration of Eu³⁺ ions.     

Electronic properties and rare-earth ions photoluminescence behaviors in borosilicate: SrB2Si2O8

Undoped and RE ions doped SrB₂Si₂O₈ were successfully synthesized. After the application of UV and VUV spectroscopy measurements, we made a novel discovery that the emission of SrB₂Si₂O₈:Eu prepared in air can be switched between red and blue by the different excitations. The information is that quite a part of Eu³⁺ was spontaneously reduced to Eu²⁺ in air. The PL properties of Eu²⁺ in VUV and Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in UV-VUV region in SrB₂Si₂O₈ were evaluated for the first time. The excitation mechanisms of the O²⁻-Eu³⁺ CT, Ce³⁺f-d and Tb³⁺f-d transitions in UV region as well as the Eu³⁺f-d, O²⁻-Ce³⁺ CT, O²⁻-Tb³⁺ CT transitions and the host lattice absorption in VUV region were established. In addition, first principles calculation within the LDA of the DFT was applied to calculate the electronic structure and linear optical properties of SrB₂Si₂O₈ and the results were compared with the experimental data.     

Enhancing the Photocatalytic Activity of Sr4Al14O25: Eu2+, Dy3+ Persistent Phosphors by Codoping with Bi3+ Ions

The photocatalytic activity of Bismuth‐codoped Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ persistent phosphors is studied by monitoring the degradation of the blue methylene dye UV light irradiation. Powder phosphors are obtained by a combustion synthesis method and a postannealing process in reductive atmosphere. The XRD patterns show a single orthorhombic phase Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅: Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺, Bi³⁺ phosphors even at high Bismuth dopant concentrations of 12 mol%, suggesting that Bi ions are well incorporated into the host lattice. SEM micrographs show irregular micrograins with sizes in the range of 0.5–20 μm. The samples present an intense greenish‐blue fluorescence and persistent emissions at 495 nm, attributed to the 5d–4f allowed transitions of Eu²⁺. The fluorescence decreases as Bi concentration increases; that suggest bismuth‐induced traps formation that in turn quench the luminescence. The photocatalytic evaluation of the powders was studied under both 365 nm UV and solar irradiations. Sample with 12 mol% of Bi presented the best MB degradation activity; 310 min of solar irradiation allow 100% MB degradation, whereas only 62.49% MB degradation is achieved under UV irradiation. Our results suggest that codoping the persistent phosphors with Bi³⁺ can be an alternative to enhance their photocatalytic activity.