Luminescence of the LiMgBO3:Eu3+, Bi3+ phosphor

In this study, Eu3+-doped LiMgBO3 phosphor was successfully synthesized by a solid-state reaction. Techniques such as X-ray power diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectra (PL) were used to characterize the phosphors. Upon excitation by near ultraviolet (395 nm) and blue (466 nm) light, the LiMgBO3:Eu3+ phosphor exhibits intense red emission at 615 nm, corresponding to the forced electric dipole D-5(0)-> F-7(2) transition of the Eu3+ ions. Furthermore, co-doping the LiMgBO3: Eu3+ phosphor with the sensitizer Bi3+ effectively extends the absorption strength of F-7(0)-> L-5(6) and F-7(0)-> D-5(2) transitions, caused by the wide absorption band of Bi3+. The enhancement in the luminescence intensity of LiMg0.75-yBO3:Eu-0.25(3+),Bi-y(3+) phosphor due to the addition of Bi3+ ions indicates energy transfer from Bi3+ to Eu3+. Results suggest that the quadrupole-quadrupole interaction is the major energy transfer mechanism in LiMg0.75-yBO3:Eu-0.25(3+), Bi-y(3+) phosphors. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.