Luminescent properties of UV excitable blue emitting phosphors MSr4(BO3)3:Ce3+ (M = Li and Na)

A series of Ce3+ doped novel borate phosphors MSr4(BO3)(3) (M = Li or Na) were successfully synthesized by traditional solid-state reaction. The crystal structures and the phase purities of samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The optimal concentrations of dopant Ce3+ ions in compound MSr4(BO3)(3) (M = Li or Na) were determined through the measurements of photoluminescence spectra of phosphors. Ce3+ doped phosphors MSr4(BO3)(3) (M = Li or Na) show strong broad band absorption in UV spectral region and bright blue emission under the excitation of 345nm light. In addition, the temperature dependences of emission spectra of M(1+x)Sr(4-2x)Cex(BO3)(3) (M= Li or Na) phosphors with optimal composition x = 0.05 for Li and x = 0.09 for Na excited under 355nm pulse laser were also investigated. The experimental results indicate that the M(1+x)Sr(4-2x)Cex(BO3)(3) (M= Li or Na) phosphors are promising blue emitting phosphors pumped by UV light. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.