Luminescence spectroscopy and energy transfer in Eu2+/Mn2+-doped KCaPO4 phosphors

Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺-doped KCaPO₄ phosphors were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), SEM, photoluminescence excitation, and emission spectra, and the luminescence decay curves were measured. Mn²⁺ singly doped KCaPO₄ shows the weak origin-red luminescence band peaked at about 590 nm. The Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺ co-doped phosphors emit two distinctive luminescence bands: a blue one centered at 480 nm originating from Eu²⁺ ions and a broad red-emitting one peaked at 590 nm from Mn²⁺ ions. The luminescence intensity from Mn²⁺ ions can be greatly enhanced with the co-doping of Eu²⁺ ions. The efficient energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ was verified by the photoluminescence spectra together with the luminescence decay curves. The resonance-type energy transfer via a dipole–quadrupole interaction mechanism was supported by the decay lifetimes. The emission colors could be tuned by changing the Mn²⁺-doping concentration.