Thermally stable deep-red emitting Sr2GdTaO6:Mn4+ double perovskites for indoor plant growth LEDs

Indoor artificial cultivation of plants is a novel technology applied to agriculture, and the emission band of luminescent materials can be matched with the needs of plants to promote plant growth. In this contribution, novel Mn⁴⁺ doped Sr₂GdTaO₆ (SGTO) deep-red phosphor was synthesized. This material was characterized, in detail, by X-ray diffractometer, SEM, and photoluminescence emission spectra. Sr₂GdTaO₆:Mn⁴⁺ (SGTO:Mn⁴⁺) can be effectively excited by near-ultraviolet (NUV) light, and the broadband emission of deep-red light matches the absorption band of plant phytochromes P_R and P_FR. The optimum doping concentration of Mn⁴⁺ in SGTO was 0.6 mol%, and the concentration quenching mechanism was attributed to dipole-quadrupole (d-q) electric interaction. The photoluminescence emission intensity of SGTO:0.006Mn⁴⁺ at 423 K is 80.6% of that at room temperature and the internal quantum efficiency of SGTO:0.006Mn⁴⁺ is 36.09%. Finally, the performance of the commercial 440 nm light-emitting diode chip/SGTO:0.006Mn⁴⁺ encapsulated light-emitting diode device was stable and can meet the needs of plants for the blue and red light. The results showed that SGTO:0.006Mn⁴⁺ deep-red phosphor is expected to be a phosphor suitable for indoor plant growth lighting.     

Designing ultra-highly efficient Mn2+-activated Zn2GeO4 green-emitting persistent phosphors toward versatile applications

Developing highly efficient green-emitting phosphors is very significant because human eyes are sensitive to green spectral region. Herein, Mn²⁺-activated Zn₂GeO₄ phosphors, which can emit bright green light with an ultrahigh internal quantum efficiency of 98.5%, were prepared by a solid-state reaction technology in ambient atmosphere. At 323 nm irradiation, the emission spectrum shows a narrow band centered at 534 nm, which is ascribed to the ⁴T₁ → ⁶A₁ transition of Mn²⁺, with a full width at half maxima of 49.5 nm. Through monitoring the temperature-dependent photoluminescence emission intensity and decay time of Mn²⁺, we explored the thermometric properties of the resultant compound and found maximum relative sensitivities of Zn₂GeO₄:0.02Mn²⁺ phosphor are 4.90% K^?1 and 0.74% K^?1, respectively. Furthermore, green afterglow phenomenon is observed in the designed phosphors, and its mechanism is verified by discussing the thermoluminescence. Because of the excellent luminescence behaviors, various multimode luminescent patterns for information encryption are designed, including anticounterfeiting and fingerprint identification. Furthermore, using the prepared Zn₂GeO₄:0.02Mn²⁺ as green-emitting components, a white-light-emitting diode with suitable color coordinates, high color rending index (>90), and low correlated color temperature (5,000–6,000 K) was fabricated. These results demonstrate that Mn²⁺-activated Zn₂GeO₄ phosphors are multifunctional green-emitting components for optical thermometry, anticounterfeiting, fingerprint detection, and solid-state lighting applications.     

Suppression of charge imbalance via Li+-Mn4+ co-incorporated Sr2YSbO6 red phosphors for warm w-LEDs

Mn⁴⁺-activated double perovskite phosphors with composition diversity have presented excellent luminescent performances. However, the charge imbalance between Mn⁴⁺ and matrix cations would increase non-radiative recombination and reduce the structural stability. Here, novel high-efficiency stable Li⁺/Mn⁴⁺ co-incorporated Sr₂YSbO₆ red phosphors are successfully synthesized via a solid-state reaction method for warm w-LEDs, where the Li⁺ ions have the effect of charge balance for Sr₂YSbO₆:Mn⁴⁺ and reduce the non-radiative energy transfer among Mn⁴⁺ ions. It is demonstrated that the substitution of Li⁺–Mn⁴⁺ pairs for Sb⁵⁺ can enhance the bonding with low-shifted diffraction peaks and high emission intensity, and prolong the decay lifetime, compared with those of Mn⁴⁺ single-doped ones. Impressively, the thermal stability is enhanced to 89.72% from 84.61% at the original value of 303 K. Finally, a w-LED device based on the optimal phosphor Sr₂YSbO₆:0.01Mn⁴⁺/0.01Li⁺ red component exhibits a correlated color temperature of 4487 K and color rendering index of 80.2. Therefore, the incorporated Li⁺ ions serve as both charge compensator and co-activator in Mn⁴⁺-activated double perovskite phosphors with the aim of high luminescent performance and thermal stability.     

A novel Cr3+-activated far-red titanate phosphor: synthesis,luminescence enhancement and application prospect

Plant factory, a new agricultural planting technology, has emerged and rapidly grown in recent years, with phosphor conversion light emitting diodes (pc-LEDs) considered as the first choice of source light for the plant factory. In this study, a new type of Cr³⁺-activated Li₂MgTi₃O₈ phosphor (LMT: Cr³⁺) was synthesized by high temperature solid state method. X-Ray diffraction patterns showed that there was no detectable impurity in these samples. The photoluminescence spectra revealed that this phosphor can emit far-red light with the peak at 740 nm excited by ultraviolet and blue light, overlapped well with the P_FR. After introducing Zn²⁺ ions (LMT: Cr³⁺, Zn²⁺), the luminescence intensity increases by 46% mainly due to the increase of lattice distortion, and internal quantum yield was improved from 25.4% to 41.3% under 365 nm excitation. Finally, the pc-LED devices, consisting of 470 nm chip coated with the optimal phosphor, exhibited good luminescence and overlapping with P_FR. These results indicate that the LMT: Cr³⁺, Zn²⁺ phosphor has the potential application in modern agriculture.     

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.     

Using an excellent near-UV-excited cyan-emitting phosphor for enhancing the color rendering index of warm-white LEDs by filling the cyan gap

White light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with high color rendering index (CRI) and low correlated color temperature (CCT) are desirable for next-generation solid-state lighting. In this work, we demonstrated an efficient near-UV-excited cyan-emitting phosphor based on Ce³⁺-doped Ca₂LuHf₂Al₃O₁₂ (CLHAO) garnet, which could be used to cover the cyan gap for fabricating high-CRI warm-white LEDs. We found that the CLHAO:Ce³⁺ samples exhibited a broad excitation band in the 300–450 nm wavelength range peaking at 400 nm, and upon 400 nm excitation they showed broad cyan emission bands in the 420–600 nm spectral region with peak positions ranging from 477 to 493 nm. The optimal CLHAO:0.02Ce³⁺ sample had CIE color coordinates of (0.160, 0.255), and its internal and external quantum efficiencies were measured to be 84.3% and 60.8%, respectively. Impressively, the luminescence intensity of CLHAO:0.02Ce³⁺ sample at 423 K still remained at 62% of the initial value at 303 K, and the chromaticity shift was calculated to be as low as 1.7 × 10^?2, revealing its high thermal stability and color stability at a higher temperature. Finally, a warm-white LED device (CCT = 3,194 K) was fabricated by combining CLHAO:0.02Ce³⁺ cyan phosphors with commercial blue/green/red tricolor phosphors, showing bright white-light emission with a high CRI of 89.4, which was superior to that of another warm-white LED device (CRI = 83.2) fabricated without CLHAO:0.02Ce³⁺ cyan phosphors. These outstanding luminescence properties of CLHAO:Ce³⁺ cyan phosphors illustrated that they offer a new feasible approach for the production of high-CRI warm-white LEDs toward high-color-quality solid-state lighting.     

Single-phased white-light emitting CaAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>: Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> phosphors prepared by a sol–gel method

CaAl₂Si₂O₈: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors have been prepared by a sol–gel method. X-ray diffractometer, spectrofluorometer and UV–Vis spectrometer were used to characterize structural and optical properties of the samples. The results indicate that anorthite (CaAl₂Si₂O₈) directly crystallizes at 1000 °C in the sol–gel process. CaAl₂Si₂O₈: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors show two emission bands excited by ultraviolet light. Blue (around 415 nm) and yellow (around 575 nm) emissions originate from Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺, respectively. With appropriate tuning of Mn²⁺ content, CaAl₂Si₂O₈: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors exhibit different hues and relative color temperatures.     

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.     

A near-infrared phosphor doped with Cr3+ towards zero-thermal-quenching for high-power LEDs

Cr³⁺-doped phosphors show significant application potential in near-infrared (NIR) light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, the development of thermally stable and efficient NIR phosphors still faces enormous challenges. Herein, NIR phosphors K₂NaMF₆:Cr³⁺ (M³⁺ = Al³⁺, Ga³⁺, and In³⁺) were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The represented K₂NaAlF₆:Cr³⁺ phosphor can be effectively excited by blue light (～430 nm) to present broadband emission at half a maximum of 96 nm peaking at ～ 728 nm. Meanwhile, the K₂NaAlF₆:Cr³⁺ phosphor exhibits excellent internal quantum efficiency (IQE = 68.08%) and nearly zero-thermal-quenching behavior, which is able to maintain 96.5% emission intensity at 150 °C of the initial value at 25 °C. The NIR phosphor-converted LED was fabricated based on K₂NaAlF₆:Cr³⁺ phosphor and a blue LED chip, showing a NIR output power of 394.39 mW at 300 mA with a high photoelectric conversion efficiency of 10.9% at 20 mA. Using the high-power NIR LED as a lighting source, transparent and quick veins imaging as well as non-destructive testing were demonstrated, suggesting the NIR phosphor has a wide range of practical applications.     

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.     

Two-color emission of Zn2SiO4:Mn from ionic liquid mediated synthesis

Yellow emitting β-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ and green emitting α-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ nanoparticles are synthesized by nucleation applying a zinc-containing ionic liquid. As-prepared material is non-agglomerated and very uniform with a mean diameter of 32 nm. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) two crystallographic different modifications of Zn₂SiO₄ can be realized by annealing of as-prepared and non-crystalline nanomaterial at 750 and 1000 °C. Surprisingly, these crystalline materials are still nanosized, non-agglomerated and redispersible. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirm particle diameters of 18 nm (β-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺) and 14 nm (α-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺). Photoluminescence indicates Mn²⁺-related emission at an average wavelength of 579 nm and 528 nm, and a quantum yield of 7% and 12% for β-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ and α-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺, respectively.     

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.     

Mechano-chemical synthesis K2MF6 (M = Mn,Ni) by cation-exchange reaction at room temperature

In order to establish the power of mechanochemistry to produce industrially important phosphors, synthesis of K₂MnF₆ has been attempted by the successive grinding reactions of manganese (II) acetate with ammonium fluoride and potassium fluoride. The progress of reaction was followed by ex-situ characterization after periodic intervals of time. Cubic symmetry of K₂MnF₆ was evident from its powder X-ray diffraction pattern which was refined successfully in cubic space group (Fm-3m) with a = 8.4658 (20) Å. Stretching and bending vibration modes of MnF₆²⁻ octahedral units appeared at 740 and 482 cm⁻¹ in the fourier transformed infrared spectrum. Bands at 405 and 652 cm⁻¹ appeared in the Raman spectrum and they were finger-print positions of cubic K₂MnF₆. Other than the ligand to metal charge transfer transition at 242 nm, transitions from ⁴A_2g to ⁴T_1g, ⁴T_2g and ²T_2g of Mn⁴⁺-ion appeared at 352, 429, 474 and 569 nm in the UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum of the sample. Red emission due to Mn⁴⁺ was observed in the photoluminescence spectrum with a decay time of 0.22 ms. Following the success in forming cubic K₂MnF₆, this approach has been extended to synthesize cubic K₂NiF₆ at room temperature. All these results confirmed the susceptibility of acetate salts of transition metals belonging to first-row of the periodic table to facile fluorination at room temperature aided by mechanical forces.     

Photo and Thermo‐luminescence Properties of Mn4+, Ce4+ and Sm3+ in MgAl2Si2O8 Phosphor

Mn⁴⁺, Ce⁴⁺ and Sm³⁺ doped MgAl₂Si₂O₈‐based phosphors were synthesized at 1300 °C by solid state reaction and characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), thermoluminescence (TL) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phosphors showed broad red emission bands in the range of 610–715 nm and different maximum intensity when activated by UV illumination. Such a red emission can be attributed to the intrinsic ²E→⁴A₂ transitions of Mn⁴⁺.     

Mn4+-, Tb3+,4+-, and Er3+-activated red phosphors in the MgAl2Si2O8 system

Mn⁴⁺ doped and Tb^3+,4+, Er³⁺ co-doped MgAl₂Si₂O₈-based phosphors were prepared by conventional solid-state synthesis at 1,300 °C. They were characterized by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, photoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy. The luminescence mechanism of the phosphors, which showed broad red emission bands in the range of 600–715 nm and had different maximum intensities when activated by UV illumination, was discussed. Such a red emission can be attributed to the intrinsic ²E → ⁴A₂ transitions of Mn⁴⁺.     

Red phosphors in MgAl2Si2O8 doping with Mn4+, Gd3+ and Lu3+ and host-sensitized luminescence properties

Mn⁴⁺ doped and Gd³⁺, Lu³⁺ co-doped MgAl₂Si₂O₈-based phosphors were first of all synthesized by solid state reaction at about 1300.0 °C. They were characterized by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, photoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy. The luminescence mechanism of the phosphors which showed broad red emission bands in the range of 610–715 nm and had a different maximum intensity when activated by UV illumination was discussed. Such a red emission can be attributed to the intrinsic ²E → ⁴A₂ transitions of Mn⁴⁺.     

Eu2+ & Mn2+‐Coactivated Ba3Gd(PO4)3 Orange‐Yellow‐Emitting Phosphor with Tunable Color Tone for UV‐Excited White LEDs

A novel orange‐yellow‐emitting Ba₃Gd(PO₄)₃:x Eu²⁺,y Mn²⁺ phosphor is prepared by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The crystal structure of Ba₃Gd(PO₄)₃:0.005 Eu²⁺,0.04 Mn²⁺ is determined by Rietveld refinement analysis on powder X‐ray diffraction data, which shows that the cations are disordered on a single crystallographic site and the oxygen atoms are distributed over two partially occupied sites. The photoluminescence excitation spectra show that the developed phosphor has an efficient broad absorption band ranging from 230 to 420 nm, perfectly matching the characteristic emission of UV‐light emitting diode (LED) chips. The emission spectra show that the obtained phosphors possess tunable color emissions from yellowish‐green through yellow and ultimately to reddish‐orange by simply adjusting the Mn²⁺ content (y) in Ba₃Gd(PO₄)₃:0.005 Eu²⁺,y Mn²⁺ host. The tunable color emissions origin from the change in intensity between the 4f–5d transitions in the Eu²⁺ ions and the ⁴T₁‐⁶A₁ transitions of the Mn²⁺ ions through the energy transfer from the Eu²⁺ to the Mn²⁺ ions. In addition, the mechanism of the energy transfer between the Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions are also studied in terms of the Inokuti–Hirayama theoretical model. The present results indicate that this novel orange‐yellow‐emitting phosphor can be used as a potential candidate for the application in white LEDs.     

A New Mode of Energy Transfer between Mn2+ and Eu2+ in Nitride‐Based Phosphor SrAlSi4N7 with Tunable Light and Excellent Thermal Stability

In this work, reciprocal energy transfer between Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions in nitride SrAlSi₄N₇ has been found and investigated in detail. In contrast to Mn²⁺‐ and Eu²⁺‐activated oxide‐based phosphors, the red light centered at 608 nm is ascribed to 4f–5d transitions of Eu²⁺ ions and Mn²⁺‐activated SrAlSi₄N₇ emits a cyan light peaking at 500 nm. Additionally, the special broad excitation band of SrAlSi₄N₇:Mn²⁺ centered at 362 nm has been covered by that of Eu²⁺ ions ranging from 300 to 550 nm. The overlap of the energy level of Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions creates the conditions for reciprocal energy transfer between Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions. A series of SrAlSi₄N₇:0.002 Mn²⁺,xEu²⁺ (0≤x≤005) with tunable light emission have been synthesized and the decay curves of samples prove the reciprocal occurrence of the energy transfer between Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ ions. This mode of energy transfer not only prevents the loss of energy, but also improves the thermal stability, and the intensity of SrAlSi₄N₇:Mn²⁺,Eu²⁺ at 150 °C is still beyond 92 % of the initial intensity. The results provide a new mode of energy transfer, which is expected to reduce the drawbacks existing in energy transfer.     

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.     

Preparation and photoluminescence properties of Mn-activated M2Si5N8 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) phosphors

Mn²⁺-doped M₂Si₅N₈ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) phosphors have been prepared by a solid-state reaction method at high temperature and their photoluminescence properties were investigated. The Mn²⁺-activated M₂Si₅N₈ phosphors exhibit narrow emission bands in the wavelength range of 500-700 nm with peak center at about 599, 606 and 567 nm for M=Ca, Sr, Ba, respectively, due to the ⁴T₁(⁴G)→⁶A₁(⁶S) transition of Mn²⁺. The long-wavelength emission of Mn²⁺ ion in the host of M₂Si₅N₈ is attributed to the effect of a strong crystal-field of Mn²⁺ in the nitrogen coordination environment. Also it is observed that there exists energy transfer between M₂Si₅N₈ host lattice and activator (Mn²⁺). The potential applications of these phosphors have been pointed out.