Redshift of green photoluminescence of Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce3+ phosphor by charge compensatory additives

The luminescence wavelength of Ca3Sc2Si3O12:Ce3+, which is a green-emitting phosphor under blue light excitation, was moved toward longer wavelength by addition of Mg. This modification is very valuable for commercial applications because it increases the brightness of the phosphor by increasing the overlap with the visibility curve. Magnesium is likely incorporated into the Sc position of the host crystal because the ionic radius of Mg is close to that of Sc. The substitution probably compensates for the excess positive charge induced by incorporation of Ce into the Ca position. The content of Ce in the host crystal was increased by increasing the amount of Mg in the raw material mixture; the inverse relationship was also observed. The spectral shift was also observed by adding Na or Li, which probably substituted the Ca position and compensated the excess charge induced by Ce in the Ca position. The change in luminescence spectra occurred irrespective of the type of charge compensatory additive used. Therefore, the spectral modification was mainly due to the increase in Ce3+ activator. Modification of the luminescence decay characteristics by the additives was also examined. The decay curve of the phosphor containing Mg showed a nonexponential profile. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.