Synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of Sm3+ -doped Bi4 Si3 O12 red-emitting phosphor

Abstract

A series of novel red-emitting Sm³⁺ -doped bismuth silicate phosphors, Bi₄ Si₃ O₁₂ :xSm³⁺ (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.06), were prepared via the sol-gel route. The phase of the synthesized samples calcinated at 800 °C is isostructural with Bi₄ Si₃ O₁₂ according to X-ray diffraction results. Under excitation with 405 nm light, some typical peaks of Sm³⁺ ions centered at 566, 609, 655 and 715 nm are found in the emission spectra of the Sm³⁺ -doped Bi₄ Si₃ O₁₂ phosphors. The strongest peak located at 609 nm is due to ⁴ G_5/2 -⁶ H_7/2 transition of Sm³⁺ . The luminescence intensity reaches its maximum value when the Sm³⁺ ion content is 4 mol%. The results suggest that Bi₄ Si₃ O₁₂ :Sm³⁺ may be a potential red phosphor for white light-emitting diodes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords: Bi4Si3O12:Sm3+; concentration quenching; luminescence properties; red-emitting phosphors; white LEDs.