Crystal structure and luminescence properties of Bi3+ activated Ca2Y3Sb3O14 phosphors in near UV region

A novel Ca2Y3Sb3O14: Bi3+ phosphor was synthesized and its crystal structure, photoluminescence (PL) properties was investigated. Ca2Y3Sb3O14 crystallized as a monoclinic structure with a space group of I2m/11 and lattice constants of a = 7.4129(7) angstrom, b = 10.4428(1) angstrom, c = 7.3898(8) angstrom and alpha = 90.049 degrees. Ca2Y3Sb3O14: Bi3+ could be efficiently excited in the wavelength range of 270-400 nm. With the increase of Bi3+ concentration, the most efficient excitation wavelength of the phosphors moved from 320 to 350 nm. When excited under 310-350 nm, the phosphors emit a broad band with a maximum intensity appearing at about 420-460 nm due to the P-3(1)-S-1(0) transition of Bi3+. The relationship between the PL properties and the crystal structure was discussed. Due to the efficient excitation in the near UV region and the strong blue to cyan emission, Ca2Y3Sb3O14: Bi3+ would be a potential blue phosphor for near UV white light-emitting diodes, or a potential donor system for designing single-composition white-light phosphors based on energy transfer. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.