Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of the high-brightness Eu3+-doped Sr3Bi(PO4)3 phosphors

A series of orange reddish emitting phosphors Eu3+-doped Sr3Bi(PO4)(3) have been successfully synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction, and its photoluminescence (PL) properties have been investigated. The excitation spectra reveal strong excitation bands at 392 nm, which match well with the popular emissions from near-UV light-emitting diode chips. The emission spectra of Sr3Bi(PO4)(3):Eu3+ phosphors invariably exhibit five peaks assigned to the D-5(0)-> F-7(J) (J=0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions of Eu3+ and have dominating emission peak at 612 nm under 392 nm excitation. The luminescence intensity was enhanced with increasing Eu3+ content and the emission reached the maximum intensity at x=0.05 in Sr3Bi(PO4)(3):xEu(3+). The energy transfer behavior in the phosphors was discussed. The Commission Internationale de lEclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates, the quantum efficiencies, and the decay curves of the entitled phosphors excited under 392 nm are also investigated. The experimental results indicate that the Eu3+-doped Sr3Bi(PO4)(3) phosphors are promising orange reddish-emitting phosphors pumped by near-UV light. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.