Luminescence properties of phosphate phosphors Ba3Gd1-x(PO4)3:xSm3+

A series of reddish orange phosphors Ba3Gd1_(x)(PO4)(3):xSm(3+) (x = 0.02,0.04,.. , 0.12) were prepared by the high-temperature solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectra were utilized to characterize the structure and spectral properties of the phosphors. The phosphors have strong absorption in the near-UV region. CIE chromaticity coordinates of the phosphors are located in the reddish orange region since the strongest emission band is around 598 nm and related to the (4)G(s/2) -> H-6(7/2) transition of Sm3+. Optimal concentration of Sm3+ in the phosphors is about 6.0 at%. The quantum yield of the Ba3Gd0.94(PO4)(3):0.06Sm(3+) under excitation at 403 nm is about 52.07%. Temperature dependent photoluminescence spectra of the Ba3Gd0.94(PO4)(3):0.06Sm(3+) were measured and the phosphor exhibits high thermal stability of emission. All the results show that the Ba3Gd(PO4)(3):Sm3+ phosphor may be a potential red phosphor for near-UV based white LEDs. (C) 2018 Chinese Society of Rare Earths. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.