Photoluminescence properties of Eu3+/ Sm3+ activated CaZr4(PO4)6 phosphors

Solid state reaction method was employed for the synthesis of a series of CaZr4(PO4)6: Eu3+/Sm3+ phosphors. The red-emitting CaZr4(PO4)6:Eu3+ phosphors can be efficiently excited at 396 nm and thereby, exhibit a strong red luminescence predominantly corresponding to the electric dipole transition at 615 nm. Under 405 nm excitation, CaZr4(PO4)6:Sm3+ phosphors display orange emission with color temperatures approximately around 2200 K. The acquired results reveal that CaZr4(PO4)6: RE3+ (RE = Eu, Sm) phosphors could be potential candidates for red and orange emitting phosphor, respectively, for UV/blue-pump LEDs.