Electronic structure and photoluminescence property of a novel white emission phosphor Na_3MgZr(PO_4)_3:Dy~(3+) for warm white light emitting diodes

To explore suitable single-phase white emission phosphors for warm white light emitting diodes, a series of novel phosphors Na_3MgZr(PO_4)_3:xDy~(3+)(0 ≤ x ≤ 0.03) is prepared, and their phase purities as well as photoluminescence properties are discussed in depth via x-ray diffraction structure refinement and photoluminescence spectrum measurement.The electronic structure properties of the Na_3MgZr(PO_4)_3host are calculated. The results reveal that Na_3MgZr(PO_4)_3 possesses a direct band gap with a band gap value of 4.917 e V. The obtained Na_3MgZr(PO_4)_3:Dy~(3+) phosphors are all well crystallized in trigonal structure with space group Rc, which has strong absorption around 365 nm and can generate warm white light emissions peaking at 487, 576, and 673 nm upon ultraviolet excitation, which are attributed to the transitions from ~4F_(9/2) to ~6H_(15/2),~6H_(13/2), and ~6H_(11/2) of Dy~(3+) ions, respectively. The optimal doping content, critical distance, decay time, and Commission International de L'Eclairage(CIE) chromaticity coordinates are investigated in Dy~(3+) ion-doped Na_3MgZr(PO_4)_3. The thermal quenching analysis shows that Na_3MgZr(PO_4)_3:Dy~(3+) has a good thermal stability, and the thermal activation energy is calculated. The performances of Na_3MgZr(PO_4)_3:Dy~(3+) make it a potential single-phase white emission phosphor for warm white light emitting diode.